Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service-connected coronary artery disease. The decision also found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DM-2), as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent is granted. This issue is granted pursuant to the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right ankle fracture and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,Service connection was not granted for either condition due to lack of credible medical evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hearing loss have been withdrawn. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to chemicals and toxins during service, specifically at Rocky Mountain Arsenal. The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to such exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including burning sensation when urinating, glaucoma, diabetes mellitus (DM), left jaw condition, and right foot condition, as they are not related to his active military service or exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) as the Veteran's obesity was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 1, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or environmental exposure during service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification for herbicide exposure in Okinawa, Japan. The AOJ will verify this information and then readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to potential exposure to Agent Orange while aboard naval vessels near Vietnam. The Board requires further research based on the Veteran's confirmed dates of ship service and his potential exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Erectile dysfunction, urinary and bowel disorders, and diabetic retinopathy are denied. PTSD is granted at a 70% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for various service connection claims, including tinnitus, hearing loss, DMII, a lumbar sprain, left femur fracture, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (sciatic and femoral nerves), and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve. The Board found that the earliest possible effective dates were May 7, 2013, when the Veteran filed his claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the readjudication of the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left eye condition other than cataracts, an acute kidney injury, and diabetes mellitus due to unresolved secondary service connection claims. The increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus is also remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and related conditions are granted. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during service, which supports his claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid disorder, cerebral vascular disorder (including a stroke and residuals thereof), and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The VA is required to obtain information about the Veteran's in-service radiation exposure and provide an examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.