Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a seizure disorder as secondary to DM due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran was not diagnosed with either condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, and stomach tumor (also claimed as stomach ulcer) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, nephrosclerosis, UTI, and hypertension as they are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, right knee disability, and back disability as there was no evidence of in-service onset or nexus to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) with erectile dysfunction and retinopathy was denied as the condition does not require insulin or regulation of activities, and separate compensable ratings are not warranted for diabetic retinopathy or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and need for further examination regarding chemical exposure in service and its relation to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, skin condition (rosacea), autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, residuals of liver transplant, and hepatic encephalitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, gout, dysentery, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to new evidence received since the last denial in June 1992. The claims are reopened but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, due to exposure to Agent Orange while stationed at Nakhom Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base from May 1967 to May 1968, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran’s duties placed him at the perimeter of the RTAFB and thus qualifies for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and chloracne due to incomplete VA examinations, conflicting mailing addresses, and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide his current address and undergo new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent, effective October 16, 2019. His diabetes mellitus and PTSD remain at their current ratings.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder effective August 31, 2012. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back condition, asthma, diabetes, and hypertension due to inadequate nexus opinions provided by the VA examiner in July 2018.

The Board has found that remand is warranted for an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated complications, including onychomycosis and stasis dermatitis. The earlier effective date claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is also remanded due to a need to address the Veteran's allegation regarding clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the assignment of an effective date of September 13, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for DM as a result of herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for respiratory disorder and peripheral neuropathy due to asbestos exposure and herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date for a left wrist disability, and ratings for hypertension and right foot ganglion cyst removal. The case is returned to the AOJ for review of additional VA treatment records submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being returned to the AOJ for further action.