Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both claimed as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for award of a TDIU, and entitlement to TDIU is granted from November 1, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (right and left median nerves) are each rated at 20 percent. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, right eye macular pucker, and peripheral nerve disabilities of the lower extremities, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with her work and education background.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including anxiety and depression), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for heart murmur and an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals of earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar spondylosis, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar spondylosis, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity, PTSD have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of a TDIU prior to August 26, 2016 has been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right eye disability (diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) and cervical spine disability. The decision on right eye disability is based on the evidence not showing a direct link to service, while the cervical spine issue was found in favor of the Veteran due to reasonable doubt.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's obesity was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes. The Board found that there is no medical evidence supporting a causal link between diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted as secondary to his psychiatric impairment (adjustment disorder). The other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions or other health issues, and if any of these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that he required insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent in addition to his restricted diet.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the diabetes claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ is instructed to provide a map of Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base to determine if the Veteran's reported work location was within the drift zone where herbicides were sprayed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the initial grant of service connection was not prior to June 8, 2011 due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for an exception to the general rule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right hand diabetic cheiroarthropathy due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, peripheral artery disease, and diabetes due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board has granted service connection for trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, right hip, and lumbosacral strain as secondary to service-connected PTSD on an aggravation basis.,Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD.