Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and TDIU. The remand is due to incomplete compliance with prior directives and the need for further VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 70 percent, as he has not exhibited total social impairment.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 27, 2017. The Board has granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemicals that could be linked to these conditions. The Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for cause of the Veteran's death. The VA examiner did not provide a rationale supporting their conclusion that none of the non-presumtively service-connected conditions listed on the Veteran's death certificate were related to his service, including in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral vascular disease (carotid artery disease) and erectile dysfunction is being reviewed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted with a rating of 50%. His migraine headache disability is granted with a rating of 50%, and his hypertension is granted but denied for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and allergic dermatitis as part of his increased rating claims. Additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of his migraines and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating, effective March 22, 2011. The initial ratings for diabetes mellitus (20%), peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (20%), and left lower extremity (20%) are granted. Erectile dysfunction remains denied. Service connection is remanded for joint pain, bilateral cataracts, sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 1 diabetes, loss of pancreatic function, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to diabetes. The claims are being returned for further review with a new VA opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bladder cancer, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not present until after discharge and is not etiologically related to his active service.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating for SMC under section 1114(o) and awarded two separate ratings of SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and essential tremor have been remanded due to outstanding medical records.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on evidence showing a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for malaria is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at November 3, 2006.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.,Chloracne was not present in service or within the first post-service year and has not been present during the claim period. The Board denies service connection for chloracne.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that there is no probative medical evidence to support a direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's headache disorder, including muscle contracture and migraine headaches, is granted as service connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential in-service herbicide agent exposure. The RO is requested to obtain additional medical records, verify the Veteran's claimed service in the Republic of Vietnam and near the Korean DMZ, and provide a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain new VA opinions addressing whether the diabetes mellitus type II and right knee disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, were aggravated by service, or are related to service.