Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure at Ubon Air Force Base in Thailand and provide an opinion on whether the fasting blood sugar note was an early indicator of diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The examiner will need to determine if there is any additional right foot disability present after the Veteran's December 2011 ORIF procedure, whether such disability is related to VA care or the Veteran's failure to follow medical instructions, and whether it was due to VA fault.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, as it did not meet the criteria for a 60 percent or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. For the peripheral neuropathy claims, the Board noted that the Veteran's symptoms had improved to warrant a 20 percent rating from July 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, left eye cataract, and diabetic retinopathy of left eye due to insufficient development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ is remanded. Additionally, the Board has also determined that there are issues regarding service connection for ED due to hypertension and diabetes which need further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since March 14, 2018.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, and the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy involving the femoral nerve are each rated at 20 percent. The effective dates for these ratings are January 24, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for 38 U.S.C. § 1151 benefits for a kidney disability resulting from VA medical treatment is dismissed because his service connection claim was granted under the direct theory of service connection, rendering the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities such as feeding, dressing, bathing, and attending to personal hygiene needs. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is not in favor of service connection for chronic fatigue, diabetes mellitus (secondary to PTSD), sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and hemorrhoids. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his time stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and foot, and TDIU prior to February 28, 2018 are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction has been rated at 20 percent since September 16, 2013. The Board granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the condition since August 28, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection for a lipoma on the right forearm is granted, and his initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (previously characterized as diabetic neuropathy) remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both claimed due to herbicide exposure, are denied as there was no actual or presumed exposure during service.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes, all presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression not otherwise specified was granted. The claims for service connection for congestive heart failure with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were denied, while the liver disability (to include hepatitis C) claim is pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for eye disorders, other than diabetic retinopathy of the left eye and a pterygium, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service or a service-connected disability. The Board also denied an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that new evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's lay assertions and other evidence indicate potential exposure to various chemicals during his military service in Panama. However, due to a lack of specific medical nexus opinions regarding the etiology of his diabetes, the Board finds it necessary to remand the case for further development.