Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to military environmental exposure to Agent Orange, with the presumption of exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD due to incomplete or insufficient evidence. New VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's death was caused by septic shock, intra-abdominal sepsis, and perforated viscus. The cause of death is considered to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as presumptive due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, and an eye disorder. However, the Board denied these claims as there is no evidence that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to new information regarding her exposure to toxic agents during service.

The Veteran's diabetes and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy were not found to be related to his active service or exposure to herbicide agents, leading to a denial of the claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected due to a chronic condition that began within one year of separation from service. The cases for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and Type II diabetes mellitus related to herbicide agent exposure are granted.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic colon cancer and coronary artery disease, but these conditions were not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), were denied. The Board has remanded both claims due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, cataracts, retinal vascular changes, and corneal opacity. The issues of secondary service connection were also addressed but no specific decision was made.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of liver disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus were denied, but his claim for obstructive sleep apnea was granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is not supported by evidence of a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD was denied, but his claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing VA treatment records, specifically a neurology consultation and EMG reports from August 2018 and January 2021.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be causally related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure has been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.