Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for colon cancer, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and type II diabetes mellitus (DM2). The decision is based on insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, status post spinal fusion, was dismissed. The claim of residuals of head trauma (claimed as dental trauma) has been reopened and is currently under consideration. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroenteritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory disorder (recurrent aspiration pneumonia), cardiac disorder (atherosclerosis), acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head trauma, facial scars, bilateral eye disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder (tendinitis), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection is granted for back disability manifested by pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for bronchial asthma, service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and right ear hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and PRCA on a direct causation basis, but denied service connection for DM II due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The VA denied a higher rating for the service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that it only required insulin and a restricted diet but did not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and cardiac disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service exposures.,The Veteran's left foot disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, and mood swings) were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection to diabetes mellitus, type II and secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to accrued benefits. He was also found not in need of aid and attendance or housebound status for SMC purposes.

The Board has denied service connection for Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Diabetes Mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to service. The Veteran's claims are based on presumptive service connection but the evidence does not support this claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no final decision was made on any of the service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for an upper extremity disability and a bilateral eye disability with headaches, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be related to the current conditions.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral open angle glaucoma is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and chronic kidney disorder. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and sleep apnea due to incomplete development.

Service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, and Diabetes Mellitus type II is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure. Service connection for Bilateral Peripheral Neuropathy is REMANDED.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes, and left shoulder disability due to a failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in March 2020.