Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and skin cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents in Germany. The Veteran's lay statements and testimony regarding his claimed exposure will be reviewed, and VA examinations will determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection cannot be established on a presumptive basis because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that his previous diagnoses were erroneous.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and related neuropathies due to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's diabetes and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was dismissed as the appellant withdrew it during a hearing before the Board.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted in April 2020 and is considered moot due to the dismissal of the DIC claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unemployable, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, but not permanently housebound. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance is granted, while SMC based on housebound criteria is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral vascular insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities associated with diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and bilateral lower extremities associated with diabetes collectively preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted his claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's respiratory disability is not service-connected, and his TDIU claim is granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment, and special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran's brother's Vietnam deployment records are requested as they may provide relevant information about the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss service connection is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded for an updated VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is remanded for a nexus opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are both remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination and lack of lab results following the Veteran's June 2006 pre-deployment assessment. The Veteran contends that his diabetes mellitus began in service, but VA records show no definitive diagnosis until after service.

The Veteran's cause of death was end stage congestive heart failure, which is presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to exposure to jet fuel in service. The Veteran is requested to provide more details about his alleged in-service herbicide exposure and VA will attempt to confirm whether C-123 aircraft were serviced or maintained at any location during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented them from obtaining and maintaining employment prior to April 13, 2012. The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus II is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection to bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to DM II, is remanded.

Your appeals regarding your disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with these matters.