Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as they were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for right ankle disability is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination. The claim for migraine headache is denied as there was no established link between current headaches and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with delayed-onset reactions.

The Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, kidney condition (secondary to diabetes), right upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus have all been granted service connection based on evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service and it did not manifest to a compensable degree.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents, as well as his claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes or hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and thus was not exposed to herbicides during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability (including coronary arteriosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome), and type II diabetes mellitus. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for asthma and remanded the claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are now pending before VA for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include a claim for a compensable rating for residuals of left proximal fibula fracture, service connection for a left leg disability as secondary to residuals of left proximal fibula fracture, service connection for a respiratory disability (COPD or emphysema), and service connection for diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations, and new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Veteran's death is not caused by VA care, and his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The Board finds no negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing the May 10, 2016 surgical procedure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate previous opinions and procedural issues. The main issue is whether hepatitis C was incurred in service or related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Detrick. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes) has been granted.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II because it lacks jurisdiction due to an error in issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his service-connected schizophrenia and his death from hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, type II to include as secondary to herbicide exposure due to incomplete development and failure of the Veteran to respond to VA notices.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient opinions regarding their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 16, 2013. The Board denied the claim for TDIU on this basis.

The Board has granted service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II and coronary artery disease. Service connection is remanded for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.