Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to lack of new and material evidence, as the Veteran did not provide any evidence that he was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and heart disease have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for separate ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and erectile dysfunction are dismissed. The claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulpous with spinal stenosis is denied. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and because a decision on one issue could significantly impact another. The Veteran's service connection claims for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right foot disorder and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and a need for additional notice. The Veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is again being considered.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's service was dishonorable, which means he does not have status as a veteran. Therefore, his claims for service connection for nonalcoholic steatosis hepatitis, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, and multiple hemangiomas are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records, including VA treatment records from before 2010 and private medical records from various providers. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's representative indicated that he received private treatment from Joslin Diabetes Center and St. Luke's Hospital, which have not been associated with the claims file. Treatment records from the Bedford VA Medical Center (VAMC) were also requested but could not be obtained due to a lack of information in the claims file. Clarification is needed regarding any claimed herbicide exposure for hypertension, and an examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed cataracts.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and brain cancer as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical evidence on record.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of May 7, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities since at least 1999 or 2011, which is more than one year before he filed his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been dismissed as they were withdrawn during a hearing before the Board.

Your claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no longer any issues to be decided.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Residuals of Prostate Cancer, Skin Condition, and Peripheral Neuropathy. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand is now conceded, but further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his skin condition and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Residuals of Prostate Cancer, Skin Condition, and Peripheral Neuropathy. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand is now conceded. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings were denied. His prostate cancer reduction from 100% to 60% was upheld, but his claim for restoration of the higher rating is denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with visual impairments and erectile dysfunction remains at a 20% disability rating. Separate ratings for diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and bilateral cataracts are not granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Residuals of Prostate Cancer, Skin Condition, and Peripheral Neuropathy. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand is now conceded. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated as 10 percent each, with no higher ratings available.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicides and absence of a showing of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy was not initially manifested during service, may not be presumed to have been incurred during service, and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities; and a heart disorder due to in-service exposure to hazardous chemicals. A new VA opinion is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to March 19, 2021 and at 70 percent thereafter. The reduction in the rating for diabetes mellitus, type II from 20 percent to 10 percent was not proper.,Service connection has been granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.