Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for adjudicatory purposes and a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from the September 2011 VA examiner or another appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left shoulder disorder are also presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma and kidney disorder secondary to type II diabetes mellitus remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence or information for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery bypass graft times 2, ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as left leg condition) and left ulnar neuropathy (claimed as left elbow condition).

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II (DM-II), based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The decision also resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart, respiratory, and diabetes mellitus disabilities due to asbestos exposure during active service. The VA will obtain medical records and schedule examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, hypertensive vascular disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions on whether the Veteran's IBS is related to service or secondary to his diabetes. The examiner needs to provide a new opinion regarding both direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea are also granted as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the period from July 29, 2014 to October 4, 2018 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent beginning October 4, 2018 and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims. The Veteran is now entitled to a full review of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease, finding the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, but the record is unclear about whether he has a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his time in service. The evidence shows the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus began manifesting within a year of his separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis as secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, an initial rating higher than 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for the residuals of prostate cancer. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam while aboard ships, which could affect his presumptive service connection for diabetes.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no causal link between his military service and his underlying causes of death (acute coronary insufficiency due to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus).