Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was managed with insulin and a restricted diet, but did not require regulation of activities. The right and left sciatic neuropathy were each rated at 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 8520, while the right and left femoral neuropathy were each rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 8526.,The Veteran's orthostatic hypotension was due to his service-connected bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's hypertension is reasonably shown to be proximately due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

Service connection is granted for myeloid leukemia due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. Other conditions are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, finding that the evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes began during or was related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or chronic conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown during service and are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy with cataracts was rated noncompensable (0 percent) prior to March 8, 2021. The Board found no evidence of decreased visual acuity or other visual impairment, or incapacitating episodes.,For diabetes mellitus, type II, the Veteran received a 20 percent rating from April 27, 2007 to February 3, 2021 and a 40 percent rating as of February 3, 2021. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for both periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board directives and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sudden death syndrome, congestive heart failure, hypertension, right upper extremity myopathy, and diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection is denied for tuberculosis or residuals thereof.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's COPD, diabetes mellitus, and costochondritis to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of service personnel records and to clarify the Veteran's periods of active duty, inactive duty training (ACDUTRA), and in-service civilian employment. The claims will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence received. However, further research is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while in service on the USS Enterprise in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure in the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for colon perforation has been granted, and the issue of service connection for diabetes, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease and diabetes due to insufficient opinions from previous examiners regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The claims for service connection of diabetes, hypertension, and herpes were denied. The severance of service connection for moderate degenerative changes at L5/S1 (claimed as lower back pain) was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete VA examination, and further development is needed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which were previously pending before the Board.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder disability. The Veteran's diabetes did not require daily insulin or regulation of activities, while his left shoulder disability was rated at the maximum schedular evaluation.