Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection for CAD/ischemic heart/bypass, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, scar measuring 38.0 x 0.1cm, diabetic nephropathy, and major depressive disorder has been granted effective October 8, 2016.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not shown to be related to his service and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service, and therefore cannot be presumed to have developed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability (coronary artery disease), or skin disability (basal cell carcinoma with dysplastic nevi) as a result of such exposure. As such, these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease due to potential exposure to firefighting foam, diesel oil, and fumes during military service. A VA medical opinion is needed to assess whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure.

The Board denied service connection for morbid obesity and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits from February 22, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of rating a left fifth toe disability. The decision is final on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, left and right femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and right sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the issues of increased rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; and for an eye disability. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin disorder, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the September 2020 VA examination report. The diabetes claim is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as it did not manifest during active-duty service, was not otherwise etiologically related to an established incurrence of active-duty service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's lung cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be caused by his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a heart condition and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, but remanded for further evaluation of his cause of death and contributory causes.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer in remission status post radical prostatectomy, diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy has been granted with effective dates of July 15, 2019, February 6, 2019, and March 29, 2019 respectively. These conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) in Thailand during the Vietnam era.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was initially denied in June 2002 and became final. The Veteran filed a new Intent to File on February 6, 2019, which led to his claims being reopened and granted with an effective date of February 6, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.