Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are granted service connection based on herbicide exposure during service. Skin cancer and vitiligo are also granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The retina disability and bladder cysts remain in dispute and require further examination.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, effective October 18, 2012. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diabetes requires regulation of activities in addition to established insulin requirements and a restricted diet.

A disability evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD is granted from October 5, 2012 to December 22, 2019. A TDIU due solely to service-connected PTSD is also granted.,From December 23, 2019 forward, a higher rating for PTSD is denied and the case is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including heart disorder, various types of peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and increased ratings for his right arm disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or Korea, and there was no credible evidence of herbicide exposure at Fort Campbell.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus may be related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicides during active duty. However, due to lack of evidence in the record regarding specific herbicide exposure and verification of mustard gas, blister gas, and nerve gas exposure at Camp Pendleton, further development is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and lymphoma, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her active duty service or any in-service exposure to chemicals like PCBs.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to become obese, which in turn led to diabetes.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in multiple conditions. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including new VA examinations and consideration of a TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have increased in severity.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide agent exposure. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete documentation and a need for an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's death is related to negligence in both allowing him to use the bathroom unattended and performing the thoracotomy procedure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II with hyperglycemia as there was no evidence to support a direct or presumptive link between his active service and the condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes, but has remanded it due to potential herbicide exposure in Thailand. The issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the diabetes issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus was denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim.,PTSD claims are being remanded as there is an uncorroborated in-service stressor that needs to be verified.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA Form 21-8940 and medical records. The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions that may impact his employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss has been granted, effective August 14, 2018.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on new evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II and right wrist strain was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of TDIU prior to December 9, 2019, is moot due to the grant of service-connected disabilities resulting in a combined evaluation of 100%.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims are not decided at this time.