Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and chronic bronchitis are granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as regulation of activities is not required to manage DM. For TDIU prior to February 12, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, finding that the Veteran did not have evidence of a current skin condition related to his active military service. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicides and other issues.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to in-service exposure to herbicides. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as requests for private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach and esophageal cancer, as well as an increased rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, have been denied. The evidence does not support a link between the cancers or kidney condition and any exposure to herbicides or contaminated water.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims due to his death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain his service treatment records from July 2001 to December 2001, as these records are necessary to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate etiological opinions in the November 2019 VA examinations. Further medical development is required.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of right perforated tympanic membrane, bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathies are all denied as there is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions in service or a direct relationship to service.,ED was also denied due to lack of evidence supporting its connection to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination and the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's eye conditions, including whether they are related to his service-connected diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 7, 2002 for PTSD service connection is granted. The claims for new and material evidence for diabetes mellitus, increased disability rating for PTSD, service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide agent exposure, service connection for cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus, and service connection for residuals of Agent Orange exposure are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease due to additional development being required. The Veteran must provide more information about specific documents he believes exist in order for VA to attempt to obtain them.

The Veteran's hearing loss and service-connected conditions have been remanded for further development.,The Veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for right and left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy from December 28, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to herbicide agents during reserve duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted. The claim for glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, and hypertension. Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.,Diabetes, low back disorder, and hypertension were not shown during or within one year after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his active duty service and his current condition. The Board also found that prescribed prednisone did not cause or aggravate his diabetes.

The Board has ordered remand for further development on several service connection claims, including joint pain in the hands and feet, skin disorder to the feet, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The issues remain on appeal.