Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Prostate Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, and Incontinence. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral foot disability or diabetes mellitus, type II during the period on appeal. The claim for service connection is denied for these conditions. For the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, the Board has determined that further development is needed to confirm whether the Veteran had a diagnosis and to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the disability required only restricted diet and one or more daily injection of insulin, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) and right lower extremity (RLE) are both rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The RO is instructed to obtain service treatment records from the Veteran's reserve service and determine his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. They are also required to obtain a new opinion on whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of the evidence did not establish a relationship between the current disability and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that they are due to obesity resulting from his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not adequately comply with prior Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals/gas, environmental toxins, and herbicides while stationed in South Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its decision regarding whether the Veteran's pancreatitis is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. An addendum opinion is needed from a clinician to address this issue.

The Veteran's respiratory disability claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,A 60 percent initial disability rating for dermatitis is granted, effective July 1, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disability, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, left knee disability, right knee disability, vertigo, and hypothyroidism, all presumed to be related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims were remanded for additional development.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU from February 18, 2015. However, his earlier effective date claim on an extraschedular basis is remanded due to evidence suggesting he was unable to hold a job prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Takhli RTAFB. The peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is also found to be related to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remains under review.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (due to herbicide exposure), and hypertension is denied. The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of liver are remanded for further development.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension is denied. Service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of liver (secondary to hepatitis C) is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed all reopened service connection claims for various conditions, including back pain, hip conditions, diabetes, and hypertension. The decision also dismissed the claim for an increased rating for persistent depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer due to a lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus may have caused his diagnosed erectile dysfunction, and thus grants service connection for ED as secondary to diabetes.