Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, as secondary to his service-connected back condition. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show the required criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to lack of information on whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving aboard the USS Cone.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for basal cell/squamous cell carcinoma has not been granted due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral nerve condition of the lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy) secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the spine, back spasms, shoulder arthritis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to further develop evidence related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case of diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death, coronary artery disease (CAD) caused by underlying diabetes mellitus, was not related to his active service. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s conditions to his military service and denied DIC benefits based on service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence related to his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Gordon is unclear, and a new formal finding must be issued.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date than March 6, 2018 for a grant of service connection for left eye diabetic retinopathy. The right eye disability issue is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is denied, while chronic renal disease remains in dispute.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides or other conditions related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions is remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving on ships within the territorial sea of Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes contributed substantially or materially to his death by sudden cardiac arrest. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergies, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension have been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for diabetes type II with tinea cruris is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and basal cell skin carcinoma. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for CAD, DM II, HTN, and bilateral hearing loss.