Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart condition due to potential herbicide exposure in-service. Additional development is needed including verification of exposure and VA examinations.

The Board denied reopening and granting service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, PTSD, and unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to a service-connected carcinoma of the lung. The Veteran's claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's skin disability is denied as not related to service or secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's CAD prior to August 20, 2013 and from August 20, 2013 to January 5, 2020 are both denied for higher ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to hepatitis C. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his pancreatic cancer was not related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of renal cell carcinoma, adrenal gland nodule, and thyroid condition. Service connection was granted for hairy cell leukemia and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, to include sleep apnea.,The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C.,The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.,The Board denied service connection for a pancreas disability, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.,The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.,The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lower back disability prior to January 19, 2017 is denied. The current rating of 40% is maintained.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lower back disability after January 19, 2017 is remanded due to lack of evidence showing improvement in the condition.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to January 19, 2017 is referred to VA’s Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment for the period prior to July 26, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and related complications are remanded for further evaluation, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's hypertension, tension headache disability, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and CRPS secondary to trigger finger release are being remanded for further development.,TDIU and SMC issues are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned increased rating and service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service on USS Piedmont was within Vietnam's territorial waters, which would entitle him to the presumption of herbicide agent exposure. The claim for service connection for cause of death is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the specific dates and locations of his service.

The Board denied service connection for back tumor, muscle condition (fibromyalgia), acid reflux, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's contentions were not supported by competent medical evidence.

Your claims for service connection have been dismissed because the Board lacks jurisdiction over your case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy, basal cell carcinoma, and heart condition. The issues are related to alleged herbicide agent exposure during service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation due to potential missing private treatment records and additional JSRRC searches for Air Force flights from U-Tapao to Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, as well as the relationship between in-service weight gain and these conditions. The peripheral neuropathy claim is also remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus type II claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in September 2017. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records, including from Dr. O’Neil and Dr. Kohlenberg.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and a nerve condition of the bilateral upper extremities have all been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support herbicide exposure during service at Takhli RTAFB, and thus denied presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction was not granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus because there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board also found insufficient evidence of a nerve condition in the upper extremities.