Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no credible evidence showing that this disease was incurred in or related to any period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and active military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the evidence does not include sufficient information to determine whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. He also received an increased rating for his diabetic neuropathy, but the issue of service connection for an upper back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to his death, as there is no pending appeal at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, Ischemic Heart Disease, and brain disease due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service at Korat RTAFB from March 1969 to July 1970 is confirmed, but further verification of his proximity to the base perimeter is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral retinopathy and cataracts resulted in visual acuity of 20/70 left eye, 20/40 right eye. The hyphema, bilateral retinopathy, and bilateral cataracts from May 28, 2015 to May 28, 2016 resulted in incapacitating episodes of total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during a 12-month period. The left neovascular glaucoma required continued medication and did not result in visual impairment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted effective as of March 18, 2013.,The Board has remanded several issues for further development including an earlier effective date for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and remanded the claims of peripheral neuropathy, as the evidence is in equipoise regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service near the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's initial rating for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is denied as his diabetes does not require insulin or regulation of activities. The service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability, including DDD and osteoarthritis, is also denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or a nexus to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and associated peripheral neuropathy due to outstanding medical records that need to be obtained and reviewed by a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of gynecomastia and had not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,For COPD, CAD, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy, the Board has determined that service connection is remanded as there are no presumptive diseases associated with contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's condition did not require regulation of activities as required for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as it was fully granted in an August 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 23, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to military service.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be due to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,His hypertension and kidney disease are remanded as they do not meet the presumptive criteria based on herbicide exposure. His peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded.,Service connection will be considered if there is a link between these conditions and his diabetes.

The Board dismissed the appeals as they were not about service connection at all, but rather about reopening claims due to new evidence. The Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, but denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be secondary to her service-connected hypertension, while her type II diabetes mellitus is not found to be related to her service-connected hypertension.