Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to insufficient information regarding herbicide agent exposure during service. Additionally, a new theory of secondary service connection based on obesity as an intermediate step is raised and requires further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal regarding increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and CAD, as well as entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and eye conditions has been dismissed because the accredited representative withdrew the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to new evidence received that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for PTSD, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Parkinson's Disease, and Degenerative Arthritis of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction as secondary to type 2 diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service records show he served as a jet engine mechanic at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. He contends that his exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange during this time is related to his current conditions, but there is no evidence of such exposure.

The rating reduction for PTSD from 70% to 30% was improper, and the 70% rating is restored. The increased rating for diabetic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II is denied. TDIU is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and the residuals of a myocardial infarction as secondary to claimed diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision is based on direct service connection due to evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to additional development being needed, including verification of herbicide exposure and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension have been denied.,The Veteran's skin disorder and respiratory disorder claims are pending, with remand required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of various conditions, including lung abnormality and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and no in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and bladder cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. The claim for bladder cancer is remanded as further evidence is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder postoperative residuals was denied as the range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for diabetes, secondary to service connected HTN, was also denied due to lack of causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for diabetes mellitus, service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The primary issue is whether any service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn led to diabetes mellitus. If so, the examiner must determine if obesity was a substantial factor in causing ED and if it would have occurred without obesity.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents at the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence supporting a higher disability level.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to January 28, 2022, for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity were also denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence showing such severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral leg amputation due to incomplete service records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during service and therefore, his claimed conditions are not related to service. As a result, service connection for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Type II Diabetes Mellitus, and Prostate Disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 5, 2015.

The Veteran's residual discectomy is granted at a 60 percent rating from June 24, 2007. Separate compensable ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities prior to May 8, 2008 are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted at a 40 percent rating.