Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities results in loss of use of his feet, which meets the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or Agent Orange and no competent medical evidence showing a current disability. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II did not manifest within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's current diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be associated with his exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) during his Vietnam Era active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy have been granted. These conditions are presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure in Guam.

The Veteran's asthma bronchial was granted service connection in a rating decision dated April 2022, effective August 5, 2021.,Service connection for depression with chronic pain and diabetes mellitus were denied as the evidence did not establish current disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and right-hand disability are all granted as service-connected. The diabetes is presumed based on a diagnosis within one year of service discharge. The psychiatric condition is found to be at least as likely as not related to service. The right-hand disability is denied due to lack of in-service event or injury.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure.,His diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and bilateral lower extremities is proximately due to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and esophageal cancer are all granted. However, the claim for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in duty to assist.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes type II as a result of herbicide exposure is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral neuropathy, which may be secondary to the service-connected diabetes, is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and dismissed the TDIU claim as moot due to a full grant of benefits.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection, as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The remaining claims of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for clear cell renal cell carcinoma, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The PACT Act of 2022 extended the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents to include hypertension.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,Service connection is also granted for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus type II.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicides in service.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded as it is dependent on the rating decisions for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service on the USS Midway. The Veteran's testimony suggests he was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam while aboard the ship.