Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The hypertension issue has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's spouse is not found to have a factual need for aid and attendance due to her medical conditions, mobility issues, and financial management.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected condition to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied in 1984 and reopened due to new evidence, is now granted on the basis of presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his diabetes mellitus, with diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 22, 2019, or in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has not decided the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and anxiety. The claim for reopening of a claim for service connection for anxiety is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's allegations of exposure to Agent Orange and ionizing radiation, as well as his current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, bilateral neuropathy of the upper extremities, eye disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is required to obtain additional military records and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, as the legal standard regarding in-service exposure has changed. The Veteran served aboard a ship that was in 'official waters' of Vietnam during parts of his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's diabetes and its etiology. The claims will be reviewed again with additional examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records, particularly those from before February 2009. The appellant needs to provide names and addresses of healthcare providers who treated her husband for diabetes mellitus prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is suspected but not confirmed, and his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam needs further verification.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions due to exposure to various chemical or biological agents during service. The Veteran's exposure is conceded but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if these conditions are etiologically related.

The Board denied service connection for a thyroid condition and type II diabetes mellitus, finding insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Air Force Base, Thailand. The AOJ is required to obtain a map of the base and determine if the Veteran was on the perimeter during his duties as a corrosion control specialist or guard duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral lower limb disability due to lack of in-service incurrence or a nexus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure during his Vietnam Era service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision on these matters is pending further action by VA.

The Veteran's cause of death is related to his in-service exposure to asbestos and environmental exposures in Southwest Asia, but the Board has not found service connection for these conditions due to lack of evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for thyroid disorder, lupus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and joint pain due to exposure to environmental hazards/chemical agents in the Gulf War. Additional development is needed including obtaining private medical records, addendum opinions from appropriate clinicians, and any additional VA medical opinions deemed necessary.