Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including diabetic nephropathy, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service, with a presumption of herbicide exposure. The decision also grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure while stationed at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 19, 2016. Therefore, his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic nephropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The effective date of service connection was fixed at June 19, 2015 due to a liberalizing law.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of her disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and TDIU. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's hypertension was related to his service-connected PTSD or any other condition, nor did it establish that he could not work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and heart disease have been reopened. The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides, jet fuel, or other solvents during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His lumbar strain with degenerative changes and pseudofolliculitis barbae were also evaluated, but no new issues or appeals were raised.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, further development is needed for all pertinent information bearing on the presence of USS Volador within the 12 nautical mile limit of the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, with related complications and peripheral neuropathy, is rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for the disability and also denied entitlement to TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus. The claims for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), joint pain, gout, and corneal abrasion are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided do not address whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused by or aggravated by exposure to herbicide agents during service, and if so, whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus. The case is therefore being remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD for the entire period on appeal.,A TDIU was also granted prior to March 9, 2017. The issue of a TDIU beginning March 9, 2017 is dismissed as the Veteran has been in receipt of a schedular 100 percent rating since that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DM), Parkinson’s disease, and prostate cancer due to alleged exposure to pesticides and insecticides during active service. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 40 percent and not higher.,Prior to August 1, 2016, the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) was rated at 60 percent and not higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected disabilities, including Ischemic Heart Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and Pulmonary Hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of November 26, 2012. The decision was based on the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and diabetes preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure and service connection. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown in service nor within one year following discharge, so direct service connection is denied. Prostate cancer and right elbow conditions are also being remanded for VA examinations.