Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial evaluations for LLE and RLE bradykinesia, balance, tremors, muscle rigidity and stiffness associated with Parkinson's disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been remanded due to the need to consider whether these disabilities should be evaluated under Diagnostic Code 8520 for impairment of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service in Korea exposed him to herbicide agents, leading to the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, coronary artery disease (CAD), and prostate cancer.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the appellant's request for additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an August 2020 rating decision, as the appellant was entitled to attorney fees based on the past-due benefits received by the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of September 12, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes and a skin condition, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability. The cases of lumbar spine and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be related to his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. The Veteran served in Guam from November 1968 to May 1970, and he contends that he was exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, DM, and a kidney disorder due to herbicide exposure have been reopened. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, DM, as due to herbicide exposure, and for kidney disorder, as secondary to DM are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 disability did not require regulation of activities before July 30, 2018. Therefore, a rating more than 20 percent is denied from November 27, 2013 to July 29, 2018.

The Board has found that there is insufficient evidence to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral lower extremity disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability or in-service herbicide agent exposure. The issues are therefore remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for CAD, DM2, GERD, HTN, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and vertigo are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further review, as it may be related to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is also remanded, with the opinion requested regarding its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his peripheral neuropathy conditions are remanded due to incomplete medical records. The Board requires additional VA opinions and development.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but denied all other service connection claims due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of death and respiratory disorder. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The DIC claim was dismissed as moot since the cause of death is now established.