Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not show it was diagnosed in service or within a year of separation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of diagnoses, as well as opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and kidney disorder are all being reviewed to determine if they are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity due to diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable error in the September 2013 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim that the September 2013 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus constituted a clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was also denied. The Board found that the facts were not clearly erroneous at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his PTSD only causes work difficulties during periods of high stress. The Board denies the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran was exposed to these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary MDD and history of alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, associated left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and associated right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam landmass during his naval service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam while aboard the USS Savage. The VA will need to determine this and obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, multiple joint pain, hypercholesterolemia, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of evidence showing that hypertension began during service or was related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension due to additional development being needed. The claims will be addressed again after all requested information is obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is reopened and remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran served in or near Vietnam, which is required for presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act. The claim will be further developed and reconsidered.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or on being housebound is denied because he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus, as they are claimed to be related to in-service exposure to herbicides. More information is needed regarding the USS Dixie's deployment location.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease or diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to cause his death from anoxic brain injury and cardiomyopathy.

The reduction of the rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral cataracts and related conditions from 30 percent to 20 percent was granted, restoring the original 30 percent rating effective July 1, 2011. The appeal is not about service connection but rather a request for an increased disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 2, 2013 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities resulted in total unemployability.