Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary arteriosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to lewisite while serving on an army freight ship. Additional opinions are needed from a clinician regarding whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to this in-service exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 11, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all six issues, including diabetes, left hand neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, kidney disease, and a skin condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, OSA, and diabetes mellitus type II due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by VA examiners. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and aortic aneurysm due to service connection issues. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his conceded in-service herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's lacunar cerebral infarcts are proximately due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a pancreas disorder and diabetes mellitus are denied. The Board found no evidence of direct service connection, but also determined that the presumptive service connection based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is not applicable due to lack of evidence of actual causation.,A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and a respiratory disorder due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claims are held in abeyance pending further examination of the respiratory issue.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for skin disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner did not address the in-service treatment records showing skin conditions during service.,The Veteran's heart disability claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on direct causation due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.,There is no indication of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service, nor any evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate, and thus the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from May 30, 2013 to February 13, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.,Effective dates earlier than February 13, 2014 were denied for the grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerves of the bilateral lower extremities and diabetic peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity.,An effective date of February 13, 2014 was granted for an increased disability rating of 30 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerves of the bilateral lower extremities.

The case is being remanded to determine if the Veteran served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents. The VA will also obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The Board found that his PTSD symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating, but did not find total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (claimed as secondary to diabetes), and an eye condition (including glaucoma) due to diabetes. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again.,Service connection is denied for a heart condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and an eye condition.

The Board has found the Veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 100 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The death of the Veteran was due to cardiac arrhythmias, dementia, and c. diff colitis. However, the cause of death is not clear as to whether it was related to service or his service-connected disabilities.