Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issues related to left eye glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts (claimed as lost sight) due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for xerostomia, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The VA is required to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange at El Toro, California.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 25, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related eye disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence from the Veteran and conduct further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain with osteoarthritis, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded as there has not been substantial compliance with the prior Board remand directives. Additional development is needed regarding radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 11, 2016 due to his PTSD with alcohol dependence. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from October 11, 2016. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes and PTSD are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of asthma, COPD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to the death of the Appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and failure to comply with prior remands. The examiner must address whether service-connected disabilities caused obesity, which then led to type 2 diabetes mellitus and death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claims. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus type 2, right upper extremity disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right lower extremity disorder, and left lower extremity disorder are REMANDED due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as caused by his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent low back strain and right lower extremity neuropathy, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 26, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, headaches, a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), fatigue and feeling winded and/or out of breath, sinusitis, left eye disability, and right eye disability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base. Service connection was denied for left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service. Sleep apnea and pressure in eyes were also not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that the Veteran's in-service symptoms were indicative of OSA. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM II) was denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of both lower extremities, qualifying him for specially adapted housing and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.,However, his appeal regarding financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, low back disability, and erectile dysfunction have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure, as well as TDIU. The RO must issue a Formal Finding discussing steps taken to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and notify him of VA’s inability to verify such exposure.