Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction due to potential exposure to biological and chemical agents from Project 112. The AOJ must verify the Veteran's exposure and obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and this exposure.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, effective December 14, 2015. The evidence shows that the Veteran was unemployable as of this date.

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

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings is dismissed or denied.,The Veteran's claim of an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral cataracts is denied.,The Veteran's claims of earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied.,Increased ratings for left and right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and has remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to appear for scheduled examinations and VA attempts to contact him. The issues include cervical spine disability, CVA/TBI with headaches, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, eye/cataracts disability, skin disability, lung disability, and kidney disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for TDIU due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete evaluations. The issues of service connection for diabetic ulcers have been resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and because of new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now pending with the appropriate development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for esophageal cancer, COPD, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, and TDIU as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in ears), and hypertension due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records do not provide sufficient information to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents while serving aboard U.S.S. Bennington and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and initial compensable rating for bilateral feet disabilities have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service for the diabetes claim, and the current ratings were deemed appropriate for the lumbar spine and bilateral feet disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for DMII, LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship to service. Service connection for hypertension is remanded as the Veteran's treatment records show a diagnosis but no VA examination was conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA examiners concluded that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran’s sleep apnea and either his active duty service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, traumatic brain injury, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities has been granted but does not warrant an increased rating as it is currently evaluated based on mild to moderate incomplete paralysis.