Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection and TDIU related to low back condition, hypertension, breast cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome affecting both upper extremities, and entitlement to a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes and peripheral neuropathy made it difficult for him to function in any work environment, leading to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from March 7, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a neck scar is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a skin condition (including cellulitis and/or contact dermatitis) is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII) is denied as the condition does not require regulation of activities, which is a criterion needed for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II had its onset in or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to additional evidentiary development being required. The case will be returned to the Board for further adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for brain aneurysm, coronary artery disease (CAD), epilepsy secondary to brain aneurysm, hypertension, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service exposure or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus type II, both due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for a skin rash disorder, but Lung Cancer remains remanded as there are no recent treatment records available.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and skin cancer (including melanoma) due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ was directed to investigate the Veteran's assertions of herbicide exposure and issue a Formal Finding with a determination as to the likelihood of such exposure. VA examinations were also scheduled to determine if the claimed conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 20, 2013 is being remanded as the Board finds that it raises a question of whether he was capable of maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety has been granted. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it. The claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected or compensable disability, and he had no established service connection for any conditions at the time of his death. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no final decision can be made on the merits of his claims.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed heart disorder and diabetes mellitus are related to his service, specifically his exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.,Additional evidence received since the December 2003 rating decision includes lay statements and a September 2022 Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination report. The C&P examiner diagnosed the Veteran with alcohol use disorder in full sustained remission, stimulant use disorder (cocaine) in sustained remission, and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 9, 2012 for the assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and exposure to herbicide agents. The main focus is on obtaining additional information regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition and confirming his exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's heart disability and prostate cancer prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU rating.