Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a preexisting left knee injury has been granted. However, the claim for diabetes mellitus, type II remains denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, mantle cell cancer, diabetes mellitus with retinal involvement, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The remand also includes a request for verification of in-service stressors and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The denial is based on the lack of evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Veteran's heart disease and diabetes have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful activity since the effective date of service connection, but further development is needed to assess his occupational functioning during the period at issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified joint pain, pre-diabetes, seborrheic keratosis (claimed as skin lesions), and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a link to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (prostate cancer residuals, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 30, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is granted. The skin disability and right hand disability claims are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of diabetes mellitus type II with cataracts and erectile dysfunction as these issues were previously decided by a final March 2019 decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's hypertension and colon polyps are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, gall bladder removal, left foot disability, right foot disability, eye disability (diabetic retinopathy), and kidney stones are remanded for a VA examination to determine their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain records from the appropriate repositories and the Adjutant General of Florida regarding the Veteran's dates of active duty training (ADT) and inactive duty training (IDT). Additionally, a new medical opinion is needed to address whether metatarsalgia and hallux valgus are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the condition did not manifest within a year of separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, his CAD with unstable angina at 60 percent, and his diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating. The effective date for the 60 percent rating for CAD with unstable angina has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate opinion from a clinician regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) as of April 7, 2008.,Service connection for resection of small intestine with ostomy under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted effective October 16, 2009.,The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection effective October 14, 2009.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) was granted effective March 8, 2011.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various types of nerve damage and amputation, as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disorder, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis.,A VA examination is needed for the Veteran's claim of eye disorder other than diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and renal disease due to alleged exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty. The case requires further development including obtaining a dose estimate and determining if the Veteran participated in a 'radiation risk activity' that resulted in exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board restored service connection for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, finding the original grant was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and determined that it is presumed related to herbicide agent exposure during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II, is also considered.