Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Gulf War. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer and for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to diabetes mellitus II and prostate cancer, both presumed related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The VA examiner found that neither condition caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic retinopathy due to new evidence. The claims are remanded for a VA opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for hypertension, as well as the claims for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorders are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection has been granted for pseudophakia, cataracts, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further development regarding in-service herbicide exposure and the existence of certain disorders. The Veteran's service aboard ships within Vietnam is being reviewed, as are his claims for various disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that his condition does not require regulation of activities. The decision also noted that his erectile dysfunction is rated as part of the diabetes rating and voiding dysfunction complications are not compensable.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for a heart condition, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, left leg amputation, bilateral eye disability, kidney disease, and prostate cancer are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, these secondary claims must be remanded to allow for proper adjudication.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and rectal cancer need further examination to determine their current severity and etiology. The rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded, as well as the service connection claim for rectal cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and bilateral eye disability, but the issues of service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral leg disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 17, 2008 to February 4, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ is instructed to verify the distance between the bungalow where the Veteran lived and the areas sprayed with herbicide.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid condition as they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. Further investigation is needed to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam, which could affect his claim for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts with dry eyes as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's cause of death (coronary artery disease, diabetes, and COPD) is not service-connected. The case is remanded to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA is granted, and his initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 10 percent. His PTSD claim results in a grant of service connection but no increased rating.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic urethritis, diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure, bladder cancer as due to herbicide agent and/or diesel fuel exposure, and gastrointestinal disorder/GERD. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 70% due to service-connected conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was received by VA on June 10, 2013. The effective date of the award is set at this date as it is later than when entitlement to a TDIU arose based on his February 3, 2012 VA examination.