Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral cataracts and a bilateral retina disability due to incomplete information from the Veteran's May 2015 VA eye examination, specifically visual field charts. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining complete, legible copies of these charts.

The Veteran's initial 100% rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted during the period prior to April 27, 2017.,The Veteran's increased ratings for CAD are denied from April 27, 2017 to November 13, 2021.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and body and hand tremors are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to potential herbicide exposure in Okinawa.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, arthritis, heart disorder, gall bladder disorder, colon cancer, and kidney disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicide agents and there was no direct link between the condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities or obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of in-service evidence and no credible continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance, as well as survivors' pension due to countable income exceeding maximum annual pension rates. The appeals were remanded multiple times but no additional evidence was provided.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and renal insufficiency is being remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure, is denied because there was no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during service and the condition did not manifest within a year after separation from service or involve continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records related to the Veteran's service in Thailand and Vietnam, as well as VA treatment records. The claims for heart condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, temporary 100 percent rating based on hospitalization, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for persistent depressive disorder, service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension secondary to his service-connected condition, and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The appeals are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a prostate condition as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes because no new and material evidence was submitted, despite some lay statements and medical opinions.

Service connection for type 2 diabetes, as secondary to an in-service exposure to Agent Orange, has been granted.,Service connection for RLE peripheral neuropathy and LLE peripheral neuropathy, both considered secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes, have also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected gastropathy and gastroesophageal reflux disease with ulcerative esophagitis, compensation for diabetes mellitus secondary to service-connected gastropathy and GERD with ulcerative esophagitis, and compensation for tardive dyskinesia secondary to service-connected gastropathy and GERD with ulcerative esophagitis. The Veteran is required to undergo an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions and their relationship to any complications.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, vascular and/or lymphatic diseases of the lower extremities, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and major depressive disorder. The issues include determining whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities or otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM II) first manifested in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.