Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran suffered from peripheral vascular disease caused by his service-connected diabetic neuropathy, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder has been reopened, and the issue is granted.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disease during service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, including service connection and secondary effects. The VA is required to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to military service (including herbicide exposure), caused or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as well as his TDIU claim prior to October 31, 2016, are being remanded due to incomplete development. Additional records from SSA and VA must be obtained, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's need for activity regulation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus due to a procedural error in sending correspondence to the wrong representative.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) was granted service connection as it manifested to a compensable degree within a year of her separation from active service. The Board also remanded the issues regarding low back disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Thailand. The Board found sufficient credible evidence of the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while stationed at Udorn RTAFB.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), and eye disorder due to additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and skin cancer (claimed as melanoma), all of which are related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's classified Special Operations service in Vietnam from 1964 to 1966 and schedule a VA examination if confirmed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus due to potential herbicide agent exposure during active duty. Additional development is needed including obtaining treatment records from a VA facility in Dayton and an opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added after the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's glaucoma and his service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. The examiner must provide a new opinion on whether the glaucoma is related or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension, as it was not clear if VA had attempted to obtain all relevant medical records from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The Veteran's DOT records are needed to determine if there is a link between his hypertension and his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, both of which are associated with exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and a bilateral eye disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and asthma. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been denied. A separate 20 percent evaluation has been granted for moderate neuralgia of the median nerve in both upper extremities, effective from November 18, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and amputation of the right leg below the knee as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.