Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is denied as it did not manifest during service or until more than a year after discharge, and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents.,Erectile dysfunction is denied as it did not originate in service or until more than a year after discharge, and is not related to the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus or any other service-connected condition.,Peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities, is denied for similar reasons: no evidence of onset during service or within one year post-service, and not linked to the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus or any other service-connected condition.,Retinopathy is denied as it did not originate in service or until more than a year after discharge, and is not related to the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM) has been reopened and granted. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding DM.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with hypertension and diabetic retinopathy is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations considering current severity.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer and/or diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's kidney disability (immunoglobulin A nephropathy with hypertension) is rated at 80 percent, diabetes mellitus, type II and right knee disability are granted service connection, and TDIU from September 16, 2008 to September 4, 2009 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and remanded the claim for squamous cell carcinoma due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease with hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s diabetes disability warranted a 20 percent rating, as he was taking oral hypoglycemic agents but not requiring regulation of activities to control his symptoms.,For his chronic kidney disease with hypertension, the evidence did not show manifestations of persistent edema and albuminuria or generalized poor health. The Board found that the Veteran’s disability warranted a 60 percent rating based on constant albuminuria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, which include right ankle and fibula traumatic arthritis, PTSD with TBI, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, cervical spine spondylosis, flexor tendonitis of the wrists, and disc bulges of the thoracolumbar spine. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. The Board has found an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, stroke, facial numbness, right leg numbness, hypertension, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. These issues are remanded for further development.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of Parkinson's disease is granted. The claims for diabetes and hypertension are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diabetes mellitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, which the VA examiner found less likely than not related to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection of the cause of death must be remanded.,Service connection for leukemia is also being remanded as the VA examiner's opinion did not address whether it was secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for prediabetes and enlarged prostate as a result of exposure to herbicides was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, right femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, left femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy are being remanded due to missing VA treatment records and a need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and related secondary conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the primary issue of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for an increased rating for hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new examination.