Diabetes decisions — 2023

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for lipomas on the back is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for lung condition is remanded.,An increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer due to outstanding records that need to be obtained from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking service connection for various disorders, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney disorder, male reproductive organ disorder, and artery and vein disorder of all extremities. The claims are remanded due to the VA's failure to conduct additional follow-up on a previous request for records regarding herbicide/pesticide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung disability, heart disability, throat disability (claimed as esophageal disability), and diabetes mellitus, type II due to in-service exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred or aggravated during service.,There is conflicting medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities. The Board finds that the July 2022 VA examiner’s opinion is more probative on this question.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be the result of exposure to herbicide agents resulting from his service near the Korean DMZ, and thus a service connection is granted.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because it is not causally related to service-connected schizophrenia.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome are denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases in the decision, and additional development is needed. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit a completed VA Form 21-8940 and updated treatment records.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective August 1, 2008. The decision found that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, fibromyalgia, a cardiovascular condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded. The Board finds that additional development is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted service connection on an accrued basis due to in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease has also been granted service connection on an accrued basis as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death. The appeal for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was also dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 5, 2014.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with hypertension is rated at 20 percent and his moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion regarding the Veteran's eye disabilities is inadequate and remanded for further examination and opinions. The issues of service connection for an eye condition, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus II, are now before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The effective date is not specified as the decision is based on a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The low back disorder is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Korea and Vietnam. The Veteran's statements concerning his exposure are considered credible, and the evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type two is denied. The case for service connection of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.