Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson's Disease are granted. The claim for residuals of a stroke is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and heart disease, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions of acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, and tremors due to insufficient information regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's assertions about his exposure need further verification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, left and right foot neuropathy are secondary to diabetes mellitus, a skin condition (including blisters) is presumed due to herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is presumed due to service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for prostate disorder, diabetic glaucoma, and blindness have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral eye disability and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. The AOJ is instructed to contact appropriate entities, including JSRRC, to verify if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and on temporary duty to CCK Air Base in Taiwan.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to clarify his reported in-service hospitalization. The claims for service connection are therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer residuals, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disorder, and sleep apnea, were not found to be service-connected. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and asbestosis (claimed as lung cancer), but denied all other claims, including those related to heart condition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, seizure disorder, stroke, and dementia due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for hyperlipemia was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and readjudication due to incomplete fulfillment of the August 2018 remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from June 13, 2010. The reduction in rating for bilateral cataracts was remanded due to inadequate SOC addressing its propriety. The compensable rating for bilateral cataracts is also remanded as the criteria were revised effective May 2018.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected DM, as well as other relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents while aboard the USS Mount Hood. The AOJ is required to confirm whether the Veteran served in Vietnam or within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during his overseas service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, TBI, left hip disability, and left knee disability. The claims are now remanded to obtain VA examinations and determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes is related to his service-connected sleep apnea, and thus grants the claim for service connection.