Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiovascular disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The issues regarding service connection for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, basal cell carcinoma, and residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture and repair.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The RO is instructed to obtain an opinion from an environmental toxicologist regarding the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee patella-femoral syndrome, finding that the current disability is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Heart Disease, finding no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea. The chronic disease presumption was not applicable due to lack of showing of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted with a 40 percent evaluation, effective from September 21, 2021. The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and PTSD have been granted. Diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. PTSD is denied as there is no verifiable stressor.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at a 20% effective October 24, 2022. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease due to diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. However, an examination is needed to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure or another basis.

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is not service-connected. The Board found that his other service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cardiovascular disease, left shoulder condition, scars, kidney condition, TBI residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, diverticulitis, gastritis, and hypertension are remanded due to incomplete service records.

Effective dates for service connection and associated disabilities have been granted.,Effective date of June 3, 2011, has been established for the right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy.,Effective date of June 3, 2011, has been established for the left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy.,Effective date of June 3, 2011, has been established for the left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have diabetes or sleep apnea due to service, and left knee replacement is remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that new and relevant evidence was not presented to support these claims.

The Board has remanded several claims, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, TDIU, and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service records indicate possible exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could support a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in service.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral cataracts with dry eye syndrome of both lacrimal glands and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxic environmental agents (TERAs) during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA examination or opinion addressing the Veteran's TERAs.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II has been granted an 80 percent evaluation, but no higher, effective July 7, 2023. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, thoracolumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to a lack of hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to inadequate notice and unclear reasoning in the denial. The Board will provide proper notice, clarify the reasons for the denial, and ensure legally adequate reasons and bases are provided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to presumed exposure during his service aboard a ship in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA TBI examination to determine if any head injury residuals, including TBI residuals, had their onset during active service or are related to any incident of service. Service connection is not granted for diabetes mellitus.