Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease have been granted as they are presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his active duty in Guam.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The effective dates of the service connection decisions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding that diabetes mellitus type II was not related to his military service or service-connected condition, and venous stasis was not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded as the Veteran's early-onset peripheral neuropathy did not manifest within one year of presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I is rated at 60 percent since January 16, 2020. The rating is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are granted as due to presumed herbicide exposure, with service connection established for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus was denied. A rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted, but the appeal for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete, and there is a need to reconstruct them. Additionally, the VA must verify the Veteran's reported herbicide exposure in Vietnam and his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure.,Obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's RLE and LLE sciatic diabetic neuropathy are each rated at 20%.,Erectile dysfunction is not granted a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, but these cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disability, and renal disability due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a left foot disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and recurrent subluxation of the right knee. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The VA must obtain additional medical records and provide a supplemental medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted with a 20% evaluation.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both found to be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. Increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to April 12, 2022 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left middle finger disability is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and heart disability (CAD) are all denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection or exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is also denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as well, with no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the hands and feet are all denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for cubital (or carpal) tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities is also denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is eligible for VA benefits as the Veteran's surviving spouse, but her claims for service connection and DIC benefits need further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's claims of diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not currently decided.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service, and there is no evidence of chronic symptoms or continuous post-service symptoms. The current conditions are also not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims.