Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 1 and PTSD are both granted as service connected. The diabetes mellitus is considered a direct connection to service due to its onset during or within one year of service. The PTSD is found to be proximately due to the diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and type 2 diabetes mellitus, both of which the Veteran contends were caused by herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of chronic low back symptoms during or immediately following service, and the Veteran's denial of recurrent back pain at separation is persuasive against his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) based on presumed exposure to herbicides while serving in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, including diabetes mellitus. The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service connection for CIDP and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to toxic substances in service is granted.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied as it is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke residuals. The decision on aid and attendance is pending as it was not decided in this appeal.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and anemia as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. However, the service connection for neuropathy of the right foot is denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The appeal of the increased rating claim for tinnitus is dismissed. The service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disorder, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claims for service connection were not adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and causation of his claimed disabilities. The appeals are currently pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide releases for relevant treatment records, including hospital records related to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DMII was denied, and his PTSD was granted a 100% rating. The issue of TDIU due to PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran has already been granted a 100% rating.

The Board has ordered a new examination by an ophthalmologist to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's urge incontinence and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are not granted effective dates earlier than October 30, 2020.,Service connection for right breast cancer status post mastectomy is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the claims for service connection for various conditions and remanded these issues to obtain additional records, including a report of medical history from the Veteran's discharge examination.

The Board has granted service connection for DMII, hypertension, bilateral cataracts, and ED as secondary to DMII. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a failure by the Regional Office to properly assist in developing his service connection claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and unit histories. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diffuse large cell lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The balance disability is remanded for further development.