Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, impaired fasting glucose disorder, lumbar spine strain, right shoulder DJD, prostate disability, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, concluding that hypertension did not contribute to his death and was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a TDIU rating prior to April 30, 2003 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The gastrointestinal disorder was granted after this date.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was not established prior to March 2, 2020, as he did not have a permanent and total service-connected disability at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served in the Korean DMZ during the relevant period, allowing for a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. As diabetes is presumptively related to such exposure, service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes). The heart disability and hypertension claims are remanded due to the enactment of 38 U.S.C. § 1116B creating a new basis for entitlement.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy results in loss of use of both feet, meeting the criteria for an automobile allowance. The Board has granted eligibility for payment or reimbursement for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and that this exposure is presumed to have caused his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The examiner must address the specific contention of obesity being an intermediary link between the service-connected diabetes and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. Compensation for TDIU due to PTSD is granted, but an effective date prior to March 1, 2018 is denied.,Service connection for right and left leg numbness is remanded. A rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies of the sciatic nerve are granted a disability rating of 40 percent each, while the right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies of the femoral nerves are granted separate disability ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea, stroke residuals, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The VA must provide a new examination or opinion in these areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's back disability, bipolar disorder, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches are all granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and insufficient medical evidence linking current diabetes to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, or hypertension. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Thailand. The case will be referred to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for further verification.

The Veteran's diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, major depressive disorder, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are all rated at the current levels. The Board has ordered remand to obtain updated medical records and examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes and prostate cancer, presumed to be caused by his service exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange, were found to have contributed substantially to his death. Service connection for the cause of his death is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 has required oral medication, insulin injections, and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes.