Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had presumptive exposure to herbicides during his service at Takhli Air Force Base, Thailand, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and did not manifest within a year of separation. The claim was also denied for diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of its onset during or shortly after service.,Service connection could not be established due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in Vietnam, as the Veteran's ship did not enter inland waters and he had no documented visitation. The claim for diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral sciatic nerves and right femoral nerve prior to January 4, 2018, and from January 3, 2022.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, is rated at 70 percent. Increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity are denied. Increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to improper docketing, as the proper form (VA Form 21-0958) was not used.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and cataracts as they are inextricably intertwined with the outcome of a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not cause him to be in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, left eye cataract, heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease (including decreased circulation and left leg splint and shunt in left groin), right hand disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy), and left hand disability (including neuropathy) due to the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The presumptive exposure basis is based on service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, which applies to Persian Gulf veterans.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertensive vascular disease due to a request for a personal hearing.

The Board denied service connection for facial pain, bilateral knee disability, visual impairment, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II (DM2), PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for diabetic retinopathy of the left eye with macular edema, claimed as going blind, is denied because there was no additional disability caused by VA treatment.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot osteomyelitis, status post left first ray amputation, claimed as left foot big toe bunion, is denied because the proximate cause of his disability was not due to VA carelessness or negligence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and headache disorder due to potential herbicide exposure, as well as for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his headache disorder. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicides based on his service in Operation Ranch Hand.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for tendonitis in the right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and diabetes mellitus need further development due to incomplete records and a lack of an examination for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, a cardiac disorder other than hypertension, and an eye disorder due to potential issues with service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and a throat condition due to unclear findings regarding current diagnoses and insufficient medical opinions on etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including COPD and diabetes mellitus, was denied. The TDIU claim is also remanded.