Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran served aboard a ship within the territorial sea of Vietnam, but further verification is needed to determine if he was exposed to agent orange.

The Board has determined that another remand is indicated due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death and DIC claims.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is rated at a 40 percent disability rating, the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The condition requires daily insulin injections and restricted diet management.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's neurological disorders of the right upper extremity (RUE) and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (BLE) are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's prostate disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy due to lack of evidence showing onset during or within one year after active duty service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's conditions are considered chronic diseases under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a), but there is no evidence of their manifestation within a year of separation from service.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for pulmonary nodules of the right lung and left lung base scarring was clearly erroneous due to lack of presumptive conditions. The Veteran's liver disease and diabetes mellitus were not linked to his service, including exposure to environmental toxins during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, has been rated at 20 percent since the appeal began. The Board found that his condition did not warrant a higher rating as it only required one or more daily injections of insulin and prescriptions for oral hypoglycemic agents with restricted diet.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions throughout the appeal period. Service connection claims for a low back condition, neck condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and hypertension have also been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2011, to December 29, 2011.,Since December 30, 2011, the Veteran has been in receipt of a 100 percent schedular evaluation for service-connected PTSD and is now receiving SMC based on the need for aid and assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure. The heart condition and eye conditions are remanded as the Veteran needs a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus are not related to his service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and the Board has determined that it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it did not have onset during or within one year after his period of active duty and is not otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for TMJ service connection was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection, and his diabetes mellitus is denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The claims for carotid arterial disease, left hand disability, right hand disability, and loss of use of a foot are remanded as medical opinions are needed on their etiology. SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to February 24, 2014, or due solely to a single service-connected disability from February 24, 2014, to January 9, 2017, and after March 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), including as due to exposure to herbicide agents or as due to exposure to chemicals and solvents. The Veteran claims this condition is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents during service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and diabetes mellitus Type II are being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents while serving off the coast of Vietnam.