Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran reported exposure to chemicals while stationed at Fort Carson.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no in-service disease or injury indicative of diabetes mellitus and no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, CAD, and xerostomia as not related to service or herbicide exposure.,The Board also denied service connection for xerostomia due to its presumed relationship with diabetes and CAD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a nexus between his in-service consumption of starchy food and his current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II, nor could it be presumed as chronic or continuous due to lack of in-service manifestations. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure was granted. The petition to reopen the claim of prostate gland disability as secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder due to a concussion or traumatic brain injury. The claims for right shoulder disability, Graves' disease, and diabetes mellitus are remanded as new evidence was submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for scar residuals of head trauma, but the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and TBI have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not bedridden or housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.

Service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus with associated diabetic retinopathy due to herbicide exposure is granted.,Secondary service connection for Chronic Renal Insufficiency with associated hyperparathyroidism as secondary to a now service-connected type II diabetes mellitus disability is also granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The Board has also remanded the issue of a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities prior to October 28, 2016.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's pancreatic tumor is found to be etiologically related to his active service. The Board finds the evidence in approximate balance and grants service connection for a pancreatic tumor. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and heart disability are remanded due to lack of verification of herbicide exposure.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran's service in the territorial waters of Vietnam was within 12 nautical miles of the shore.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have not been fully developed, as requested VA examinations were not conducted. The case is being remanded to schedule these exams.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again by VA examiners.

The Veteran's service connection claims for heart murmur, acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, laryngitis, and diabetes were denied. The claim for heart murmur was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. Claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, laryngitis, and diabetes remain denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. A TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further investigation regarding his exposure to herbicides and proximity to base perimeters. The cervical spine disorder claim is denied as new evidence does not relate it to service, diabetes mellitus type II and heart disorder are remanded due to potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable was October 9, 2009, but did not find any evidence of peripheral neuropathy prior to March 13, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of response from the National Personnel Records Center regarding the Veteran's complete official military personnel file and service treatment records. The case will be returned for further review.