Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is also granted for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy, but the issues are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus are granted with specific ratings. The left knee disability is granted at a 50% rating but no higher. Service connection for shrapnel wounds of the left hand is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease (an ischemic heart disease) are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and right eye choroidal malignant melanoma were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in service, and the conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 at a hearing before the Board. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with visual field testing for diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, open angle glaucoma, and cataracts. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impetigo, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are also remanded.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC benefits is denied. The cause of death listed as encephalopathy secondary to hypoglycemia due to diabetes mellitus type II is presumed service-connected based on herbicide exposure during service aboard USS Buck (DD-761). However, the remand is required to determine if the Veteran was exposed in the offshore waters of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, headaches, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, and skin disability of the feet due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for type II diabetes mellitus was denied, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted from August 1, 2013 to November 30, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service in Guam and his heart problems. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of death under the PACT Act, which expanded the presumption of herbicide agent exposure to service in Guam between January 9, 1962 and July 31, 1980.

The Veteran's follicular lymphoma and diabetes mellitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of diabetes mellitus and hypertension for further development and adjudication due to a lack of compliance with previous remand orders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), hypertension, residuals of stroke associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, and right foot amputation of two toes have been granted due to new and material evidence. The Veteran is presumed to be exposed to herbicide agents while serving in Korea.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been granted due to new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including obesity as an intermediate step. The most persuasive evidence of record weighed against finding that the Veteran's diabetes was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, urinary bladder cancer, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam or its offshore waters.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes type I, including whether it is related to service. The issues of service connection for both diabetes type I and high blood pressure are being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as due to PTSD, is remanded.