Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for residuals of left leg fracture. The claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to inconsistencies in his previous audiometric testing. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between them and his military service.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II and has remanded his claims for hypertension, cataracts, urinary tract disability (claimed as kidney condition), bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure.

For the rating period prior to March 26, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold requirements for TDIU and they do not render him unemployable.,From March 26, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100% disability rating for aortic stenosis with stable angina, status-post heart valve replacement. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from this date is dismissed as moot due to his already receiving SMC benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service heat stroke.

The Board has denied service connection for an age-related cataract and diabetes mellitus, but granted effective dates prior to the Veteran's discharge. The claim for residuals of inner ear infection is remanded due to lack of a VA examination. The claim for PTSD is also remanded as the VA examiner did not address all relevant in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes-related neuropathies in all four limbs, render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also remanded for residuals of malaria and COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and no current disability during or after service. The Veteran's contention that his diabetes was caused by herbicide exposure while on liberty leave is not supported by the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, diabetes mellitus type II, and sleep apnea are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. The RO is instructed to verify the exact dates of the Veteran's service onboard the U.S.S. Midway and whether the ship was stationed within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam while the Veteran was on board.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 1, 2021 for the award of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. The Appellant's claim for earlier effective dates is denied as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and development needs, including for service connection claims. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was denied. The appeal for service connection of a heart condition is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left leg condition and blood abnormalities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, chronic diarrhea, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD with depression and anxiety, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for hypertension and diabetes due to incomplete STRs. The claims are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service, nor any link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision also remanded the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status, which is necessary for determining his eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney disease, finding that there was no evidence of onset in service or within a year following separation. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is conceded, but the Board concluded that his conditions are not related to this exposure.