Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to consider lay statements. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in housebound status or aid and attendance needs prior to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral bunions and diabetes mellitus, effective January 6, 2012. The issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for bilateral bunions is moot as a result. Service connection for sleep disturbances and tinnitus is denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance being granted. The issue of a separate compensable rating for a sleep disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records from the Veteran's private physician, Dr. James Medidch.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his diabetes mellitus, type II, which is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board found that the diabetes mellitus, type II, caused or aggravated his congestive heart failure.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during service in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or within one year post-service. The Veteran was never found to have been in Vietnam for purposes of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and erectile dysfunction have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Board will consider all submitted evidence in determining whether these conditions are related to active service or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The issues of rating for right atrial enlargement, asthma, and service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea were not decided as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his covered service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied because new and relevant evidence had not been submitted.,Service connection for hypertension and OSA secondary to the service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for PFB is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for necrotizing pancreatitis residuals, postoperative scars associated with necrotizing pancreatitis, and bilateral glaucoma as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support exposure to herbicide agents during service and that the Veteran's conditions were not related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and CAD have been granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service at Ubon RTAFB in Thailand. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are found to be the proximate cause of his bilateral hand tremors. He is also granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetic neuropathy was dismissed as the Appellant indicated she wanted to withdraw her appeal. The other issues on appeal are being remanded due to new evidence and previous instructions.

The Veteran's CAD and type II diabetes mellitus are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand. The heart disability is related to the presumptive exposure, while diabetes is also linked to this exposure.