Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to lack of evidence of herbicide agent exposure during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was a contributory cause of his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper consideration of obesity and its role in causing diabetes mellitus, as well as the need for an addendum VA examination opinion.

Your claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has found new and relevant evidence that supports your claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to a failure to request relevant operational reports from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The 1967 Operational Reports-Lessons Learned for the 526th Maintenance Company are requested.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as none of his disabilities qualify under the specific eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the August 2020 RO's revision of an October 2017 rating decision that awarded a 50 percent disability rating for mild-non proliferative diabetic retinopathy and discontinued benefits from November 1, 2020, is dismissed as there is no longer a controversy. The appeal regarding the August 2020 RO's revision of an October 2017 decision that awarded DEA benefits and discontinued them on November 1, 2020, is also dismissed for the same reason.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain an addendum from the December 2016 diabetes mellitus examiner, who provided a negative opinion based solely on the absence of laboratory documentation of a diagnosis in service records. The examiner is asked to opine whether it is at least as likely as not that diabetes mellitus type II had its onset in service or within a year of service discharge.

The Veteran's eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and insufficient notice. The Board will seek a new medical opinion regarding personal care services requirements, correct the interpretation of 'need for supervision, protection or instruction' based on judicial decisions, and provide proper notification as required by law.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and prostate cancer as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service onset.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination assessing the current severity and any associated neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction; right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy; left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy; right hip strain; and compensable ratings for hip limitations. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, renal kidney failure, hypertension, flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and alcohol use disorder), stomach ulcers, hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines. The reasons for remand include a lack of evidence regarding exposure to chemicals in service, the need to verify in-service stressors, and incomplete records from Dr. P. Weaver.

Your claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II have been dismissed as the issues were already addressed in a previous Board decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, TBI, and DM due to new evidence received. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for primary myelofibrosis, a chronic condition to account for kidney failure, COPD, diabetes, and emphysema are reopened. The issues of service connection for these conditions due to petrochemical exposure, including benzene, are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related conditions of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, retinopathy, and cataracts due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's claims are based on his credible reports of exposure near the perimeter of Takhli RTAFB.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type two (DM-II) as secondary to his service-connected cardiovascular disabilities.