Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism associated with diabetes mellitus type II due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The condition is presumed as a result of this exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted a 50% rating from September 23, 2014 to April 14, 2015. Since then, the claim has been remanded for further action on other issues.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection and increased ratings due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for mood disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and related conditions have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since November 4, 2015. The Board granted his TDIU claim based on the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's higher ratings for nephropathy with hypertension, panic disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II are denied.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as his diabetes has not required regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for impaired glucose tolerance is denied as he does not have a current disability. The Board finds the VA clinicians' opinions to be probative in concluding that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, but instead has impaired glucose tolerance.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for constipation is denied as there is no evidence of chronic underlying disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes and hypertension, finding that additional medical opinions are needed to address whether these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand requests and requires further development for both diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities have been granted service connection. The claim for hypertension, heart disease, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and gastritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and a heart condition or chest pain resulting in functional impairment due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The examiners were directed to provide opinions on whether these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated beyond their natural progression by service-connected psychiatric disorder, as well as whether obesity is an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to February 16, 2017 and 70% since then. The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy has not been rated yet. Both conditions are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and gastric ulcer were denied, while his claim for a gastric ulcer was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, diabetes mellitus, and heart disorder (secondary to diabetes mellitus) due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure. The Veteran is asked to provide details about his alleged exposure and a request will be made to the JSRRC.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, nerve condition of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral knee disability, gouty arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM). The only issue not related to service connection was sickle cell trait.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.