Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and a bilateral eye condition (claimed as vision impairment) was dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were all denied. The appeal for TDIU was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents, which could impact his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as a cause of death.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and type II diabetes mellitus are being remanded for additional development to determine if they are caused or aggravated by her service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his alleged exposure to herbicides during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 and right foot amputation associated with diabetes mellitus, Type 2 are being remanded due to the potential applicability of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veteran’s Act of 2019.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claims of service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II are all presumed to be linked to such exposure under VA law.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 30, 2014.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, skin disorder, and fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue. However, the claims were denied as there is no evidence showing a relationship to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide exposure in the Gulf War, significantly contributed to his death from acute respiratory distress syndrome and other conditions. The Board found that while diabetes was not the primary cause of death, it substantially contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, or skin condition (vitiligo). The claims for these conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted, but his diabetes mellitus and tinnitus claims are denied. The effective date for service connection of tinnitus is prior to June 8, 2017.,Service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to anxiety disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), a lumbosacral spine disability, and right and left knee disabilities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Drs. F.B., R.T., and J.S. as well as verify the USS Standley's operations within twelve nautical miles of Vietnam.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 5, 2002 for the grant of SMC based on housebound criteria. The Veteran is also granted SMC based on need of aid and attendance from February 1, 2005.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment from August 5, 2002 to June 22, 2008. From February 1, 2005 he was in need of regular aid and attendance due to an inability to complete activities of daily living and manage finances.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes, both potentially related to herbicide agent exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Pink at Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base and Clark AFB in the Philippines.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes are presumed to be related to his exposure to toxic herbicides during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions under accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active service is presumed, and he currently has type II diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) and Camp Friendship.