Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure, as it is unclear if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 29, 2017 for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and a higher initial rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and anoplastic astrocytoma due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims are being remanded because the Veteran's complete service personnel records have not been obtained, and a Joint Service Records Research Center (JSRRC) request is needed to verify his assertions of service at or near the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes is granted. The claims of service connection for scar on head, residuals of broken nose, and chronic congestion (including sinusitis and rhinitis) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence linking any listed causes to his service-connected conditions or to exposure to herbicides. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and further investigation is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), hypertension, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus is remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence linking it to service, including his documented high glucose readings.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at a 40 percent level, but no higher, due to the need for insulin and diet control.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease with associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Diabetes, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is denied. However, he is granted treatment purposes for the same condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder was granted. However, his claim for a higher rating for low back disability was denied.

The rating reduction for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent, effective February 1, 2018, was proper. The rating reduction for diabetes from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective February 1, 2018, was not proper and the 40 percent rating is restored.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Ubon RTAFB. The effective date was set as November 2, 2015.

The Veteran's gout was not present in service and is unrelated to service.,A cervical spine disability, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were not present in service or within one year following separation from service. The Veteran’s disabilities are not otherwise related to service.,Sleep apnea was not present in service and is unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are remanded to allow for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of actual or presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service and thus not meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.