Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as hypertension based on new and material evidence has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his scar associated with umbilical hernia is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and clarification of certain examination reports.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death. No effective date or rating was assigned.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, which was secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate this claim as the appellant is deceased.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to a lack of VA treatment records from the 1960s and 1970s. The Veteran testified that he received treatment for these conditions at various locations including Meadville VA, Franklin Hospital, and privately.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease have been rated as 20 percent and 30 percent disabling, respectively. The Board has found that these ratings are not higher than warranted based on the evidence of record.,Service connection for diabetic retinopathy is denied because there is no current diagnosis or evidence of such condition.

The Board has restored service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the improper severance of these conditions. The issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy with cataracts. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II.

Service connection for DMII and related peripheral neuropathies due to herbicide exposure is granted. The Veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence, and service connection was established for diabetes mellitus type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including assessing the symptomatology associated with diagnosed conditions and providing clarification on service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, associated with herbicide exposure while serving at multiple Royal Thai Air Force Bases.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, and atherosclerotic cardio disease (heart disability) due to herbicide exposure as there was no evidence of such exposure.

Your service connection claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in your left and right feet have already been granted by VA, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome (including bursitis), right knee osteoarthritis, left knee disorder including strain, meniscal tear, and osteoarthritis, and right and left lower extremity disorders manifested by leg pain due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for CAD is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Grave's disease, and lumbar spine disability are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed visits to Saigon, Vietnam. The underlying claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, will be considered in conjunction with these other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Diabetes Mellitus Type II, a right ankle disability, and memory loss. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during his military service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.