Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's application for S-DVI was denied because he had a history of stroke, which is not considered 'good health' under VA standards. The Board has ordered remand to comply with the requirements set forth in the Veterans Benefits Manual (M29-1) and ensure proper notification.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to obtain a VA opinion regarding whether diabetes first manifested during service. The appellant contends that diabetes caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes are granted as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to hearing loss, tinnitus, skin conditions, diabetes mellitus type 2, right eye blindness, hypertension, cancer of the jaw, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The issues are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition), diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and right knee disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted on a direct basis. The Veteran's diabetic glaucoma is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as presumptively related to exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand. The claims are based on the PACT Act of 2022 which added a presumption of herbicide agent exposure for Veterans who served at U.S. or Royal Thai military bases in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied. The effective date of TDIU was granted from December 16, 2013, based on the service-connected disabilities. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also granted from December 16, 2013.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease and right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but denied effective dates prior to the date of claim or the date entitlement arose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus because the submitted evidence did not provide new and relevant information that could change the outcome of the case.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted with an effective date of November 1, 2019. The Board found the Veteran was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities as of this date.

The Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence received.,Service connection has been granted for Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), and an acquired psychiatric disorder as due to herbicide agent exposure.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Presumptive service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure is granted under the PACT Act.,Presumptive service connection for chronic kidney disease due to herbicide agent exposure is granted under the PACT Act.,Presumptive service connection for a urology condition (prostatic hypertrophy, voiding dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction) due to herbicide agent exposure is granted under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The lumbar spine disability is granted at a 40 percent rating effective February 15, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no evidence of its onset in service or within a year of separation from active duty. The Board also found insufficient medical nexus to establish a link between her current diabetes and any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and a right eye disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection was denied due to the absence of medical nexus or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to obtain a specific Department of Defense letter from 1979 regarding herbicide use in Korea. The claims file must be updated with this information before further consideration.

The Veteran's depressive disorder associated with diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at 50 percent from December 18, 2008. From May 5, 2009, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.