Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and an inadequate addendum opinion regarding whether service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated the conditions that led to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 11, 2015.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services at Providence Healthcare on April 9, 2016, and June 13, 2016, due to the urgent nature of his knee pain and rash, which were not previously authorized by VA. The next closest VA facilities were over 40 miles away.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of actual exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa or any other location where a presumption of exposure applies.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and edema as secondary to DM II and/or CAD due to potential exposure to hazardous materials at Fort McClellan. The Veteran's lay statements and a scientific report support his contention of exposure.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and knee disabilities are being remanded for further development as they may be secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism.,The Veteran's left and right knees are also being remanded for further development as they may be related to her service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD and gastritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct or presumptive service connection. However, his PTSD claim is granted based on personal assaults / a pattern of harassment during active duty.,PTSD service connection is granted due to in-service personal assaults / a pattern of harassment. Major depressive disorder with associated anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss are also granted as they can be linked to the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran's bowel disturbance with abdominal distress (an intestinal condition) qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 due to his Persian Gulf service. His type II diabetes mellitus is also granted as a qualifying chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness.,Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain) and hypertension are both granted secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain).,PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse disorders are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating based on orthopedic manifestations. His tension headaches have been granted the maximum 50 percent rating from August 26, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure during service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current diabetes to service or any other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetic neuropathy, diabetes, and PTSD) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's CLL is presumed to be causally related to herbicide agent exposure during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy have been rated, but a higher rating is not warranted at any time during the period under appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, OSA, and an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II. The matter is being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, claimed as due to exposure to an herbicide agent, is denied because there was no verified exposure to such agents in service and the current condition did not manifest during or within a presumptive period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disability, hernia, and bilateral hypertensive retinopathy have all been denied.,VA has also determined that a rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals due to additional evidence and rating decisions issued after the appeal was transferred to the Board.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for a VA pension.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and failure to comply with VA's duty to assist. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed again for possible secondary service connection.