Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or caused by service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's assertions of exposure were found unsubstantiated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant had active Federal service from March 14, 1960 to September 13, 1960 for purposes of basic entitlement to VA benefits. The claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy associated with type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was denied. The effective date of the grant of a 10 percent disability rating is March 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his painful midline sternum scar due to coronary artery disease was denied. The scar is rated at 10 percent, effective July 20, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left lower extremity surgical scar associated with coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to his death have been dismissed due to the Veteran's passing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), and diabetic neuropathy are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and his military service. The case is remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The appeal of the issue characterized as 'Granting of only 0% for secondary neuropathy' is dismissed. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability is granted from April 24, 2019.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 7, 2018 to April 29, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable evaluation have been denied. The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claims for bilateral foot disability, left hand condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and diabetes mellitus type II due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran must be provided VA examinations consistent with the directives herein.

The Board denied service connection for vision problems and memory loss, as well as diabetes mellitus and heart disorder. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied on the merits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left foot disability are granted as service connected. The Board found reasonable doubt in both cases, favoring the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for leukemia, type II diabetes mellitus, left leg peripheral neuropathy, right leg peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction (ED) due to herbicide exposure. These conditions are presumed associated with the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 as there was no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and the Veteran's lay statements were not credible.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to his death from hyperkalemia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and his military service. The Veteran will be provided with additional medical records and an examination to determine if there is a link between his diabetes and his time at Camp Pendleton.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic and femoral nerves), and other conditions did not warrant higher ratings or service connection.