Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service or exposure to contaminants in the water supply of Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also denied for fatty liver disease due to lack of a causal link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board has awarded an effective date of December 31, 2009 for the award of a schedular TDIU.,VA policy is to grant a TDIU in all cases where service-connected disabilities preclude gainful employment, regardless of the percentage evaluations. However, the Veteran's claim must be referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Services for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus, type II due to inadequate previous VA opinion and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Gordon and to obtain an opinion regarding whether his heart condition constitutes ischemic heart disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left foot neuropathy, and right foot neuropathy due to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran served near the DMZ where he was exposed to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure at Fort Bliss and a need for an etiology opinion regarding the onset and relationship of diabetes mellitus, type 2, to service.

The Veteran's claim for additional special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for a higher level of care at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (r)(1) or (r)(2) was denied because he did not meet the criteria for SMC at any of the rates provided, including those for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to deficiencies in a previous VA opinion. The Veteran's service records show exposure to DDT powder in 1948, but no human health effects from low environmental doses are known.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both arms and legs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The appeal for service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the claims for diabetes and CAD due to a lack of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to multiple conditions, none of which are service-connected. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's vertigo, diagnosed as BPPV, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Board affirms the denial of service connection for vertigo.,Service connection for hypothyroidism status post thyroidectomy is denied because it was due to an intercurrent cause (the thyroidectomy). Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and erectile dysfunction are remanded as they may be related to service-connected disabilities. The umbilical hernia claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no medical evidence to support a link between his military service and his current condition. The Board concluded that obesity was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding his exposure to hazardous materials at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, diabetes mellitus at 20 percent, right and left knee degenerative joint disease each at 10 percent, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease at 10 percent, and erectile dysfunction did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes with peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, rendered him unable to follow substantially gainful employment from March 29, 2012 to June 19, 2013. Prior to that date, he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.