Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to November 1, 2019. The Board denied the claim for TDIU based on lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's son, B.C.S., is qualified as the Veteran's helpless child for VA benefits due to his disabilities and inability to self-support prior to turning 18 years old.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for heart condition, skin disease, and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for tuberculosis and back disability have been reopened but are still pending as they were not fully adjudicated in the May 1999 decision. Service connection is also being remanded for fatigue.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The claims for coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus secondary to agent orange exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Board also finds that the Veteran is entitled to presumptive service connection for these conditions. Service connection for retinopathy and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for further investigation of his exposure to Agent Orange and for obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient consideration of relevant service treatment records. The Veteran's migraine headaches claim is also remanded as there are no adequate opinions regarding his rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left hip disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal at a hearing. The claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis, left knee strain, and residuals of right knee injury with degenerative joint disease are remanded. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, left shoulder disorder, arachnoid cyst in the right middle cranial fossa, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 15, 2019.

The Veteran's liver disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Earlier effective dates are granted for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.,An initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Board has found the VA examinations and medical opinions inadequate, particularly regarding whether any obesity due to diabetes and/or PTSD was a substantial factor in causing OSA. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The matter is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as presumptively due to herbicide exposure in service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, myopathic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to unclear accounting of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The case requires further development including obtaining accurate information reports, Leave and Earning Statements, and VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty. The issue of peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 16, 2020.

The Veteran's TBI, cervical spine disorder, OSA, and DM have been granted a rating of 10 percent each. Service connection has been denied for these conditions.