Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain was granted, but an earlier effective date prior to July 9, 2015 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a heart disability, respiratory disability, and skin disability are remanded due to the complexity of his medical condition.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for hepatitis C and service connection for diabetes mellitus and gastrointestinal disability, finding no evidence of symptoms or causation.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current foot disabilities and his in-service left foot sprain. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DM, erectile dysfunction secondary to DM, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to exposure to environmental contaminants, including herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's representative provided evidence suggesting potential exposure during service to herbicides or agents akin to herbicides, which triggered VA’s duty to further develop the claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorder, and hypertension. The issues of service connection for hypertension and cardiovascular disease are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral vascular disease as the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of cataracts, hypertension, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and cervical spine disability for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran was stationed at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand during the Vietnam War Era and his duties placed him near the air base perimeter.

The Board denied additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits from a March 2019 rating decision and a February 2020 retroactive compensation adjustment, as the appellant did not appeal the initial fee decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disability and stroke, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not presumed as he did not serve in Vietnam or its surrounding areas. However, VA acknowledges potential exposure to various chemicals and toxins at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection. The remaining issues of COPD, diabetes, hypertension, left hip condition, right hip condition, and right knee condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and cataracts, both secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's records need to be reviewed again to determine if he has these conditions and their relationship to his diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including pancreatic disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, low back disorder, bilateral hand and knee disorders, antiphospholipid syndrome, fibromyalgia, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to herbicides and diesel fuel.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and a skin disability due to exposure to herbicide agents as there is insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and hypertension due to herbicide exposure, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), because new evidence suggests the Veteran may have served in Vietnam and been exposed to herbicides. The RO is instructed to verify these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. The issue is remanded for further development.,Service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied due to lack of exposure to herbicides in service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary bypass surgery was also denied as there is no evidence of onset within a year of separation from service or causal relationship.,Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was reopened based on new evidence suggesting an onset within one year of service. The Veteran's other conditions were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been evaluated at 20 percent each. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for these conditions.