Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to Agent Orange is granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's service records and eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of a vehicle or adaptive equipment. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, erectile dysfunction, initial compensable rating for left subclavian artery aneurysm, a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,VA treatment records are requested as they may be relevant to the issues on appeal.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the claims on appeal regarding duodenal ulcers and diabetes mellitus type II, as they are inextricably intertwined with a motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a May 2008 rating decision. The claims will be remanded to allow for adjudication of the CUE motion.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The rating for bilateral pes planus with arthritis has been granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,There is no evidence of tuberculosis in the Veteran’s records, and there is no current diagnosis of tuberculosis. The claim for tuberculosis is denied.,The Veteran had diabetes mellitus but it did not manifest until after his discharge from service. Given the new statutory requirements under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in the offshore waters of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II, which he claims is due to in-service herbicide exposure, has been remanded. The Board requires further investigation into whether the U.S.S. Ingersoll was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam during the relevant period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examination and treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and inguinal hernia are pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and diabetic retinopathy with early cataracts of both eyes is granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea are remanded due to missing service medical records. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain any outstanding treatment records and in-service records. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes have been granted as secondary to his left leg disability. The claim for hypertension is remanded.,A rating has not yet been assigned for the Veteran's scars.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding it related to herbicide agent exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted in a March 2020 rating decision, effective September 6, 2016. However, the case is dismissed as moot because the benefit sought on appeal has already been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran served on ships within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is not related to his in-service exposure to fuels and did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion more probative than the Veteran's lay opinion regarding the etiology of his diabetes.

The Veteran's death was caused by multi-system organ failure, with contributory causes being Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. These conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve are each rated at 20 percent, while his right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the median nerve is rated at 30 percent. The Veteran’s left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the median nerve is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and remanded the issues of service connection for left hip condition, bilateral knee condition, osteoarthritis, and bilateral shoulder condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.