Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was granted a 40% disability rating from November 28, 2014. The left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was granted a 40% disability rating from January 23, 2013 and prior to December 8, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded as the evidence is conflicting.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The issue of service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of a head injury due to procedural issues with the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and diabetes were denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II evaluation from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective September 1, 2016, was improper and restored his original 40 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for the awards of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective dates were set at February 21, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active service at RTAFB Nakhon Phanom.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post CABG, and diabetes mellitus, type II, are related to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's stroke with cerebral artery occlusion is also related to these exposures.,Service connection for frontal dementia is granted as it is secondary to the Veteran's history of stroke.

The Veteran's service connection for narcolepsy and diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied. The Veteran received increased ratings for his diabetic neuropathy, with a TDIU granted prior to August 15, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type I and service connection for his heart disorder other than nonobstructive coronary artery disease were both denied by the Board. The denial is based on insufficient evidence to support either claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's ED is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes, CAD, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus has been granted as a result of exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.,The cause of the Veteran's death, which was listed as stroke with underlying causes of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, is also considered presumptively related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer due to exposure to an herbicidal agent. The remand also includes obtaining a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's obesity caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of left knee, right knee, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, skin disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation by service-connected Bell's palsy.,Both conditions were diagnosed after separation from service, with no evidence of onset within one year post-service.