Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary arteriosclerosis, diabetes, left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes, and right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes have all been granted due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to service-connected bipolar disorder with manic episodes, considering increased insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and renal dysfunction, and peripheral vascular disease. The decision also remanded the claim for male reproductive disorder.

The Veteran's heart conditions and diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure during active duty.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, which could affect his claims for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The issues of service connection for all other conditions are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, a skin condition, and diabetes. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not linked to his in-service exposure due to asbestos, and the skin conditions were not related to his TERA. Diabetes is not service-connected as there is no evidence of it during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee arthritis with meniscal tear prior to January 9, 2019 and after March 1, 2019 is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee replacement scar is also remanded. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee arthritis (status post replacement) is also remanded.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which the RO denied as not shown to be related to service. The issue is being remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.,The Veteran's claim for pulmonary sarcoidosis is being remanded due to possible exposure to asbestos and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right elbow disability, which the RO denied as not related to service. The issue is being remanded due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right wrist disability, which the RO denied as not related to service. The issue is being remanded due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand, Vietnam era.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues have been remanded to allow for consideration of new and pertinent evidence.

The Board granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam Era at Ubon RTAFB, finding that the Veteran was exposed and presumptively entitled to benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for service connection for a left arm disability other than left upper extremity radiculopathy and left shoulder disability. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, and TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee disability are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, including a diabetic eye condition due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, arthritis and gout of both feet, left ventricular hypertrophy and mild mitral regurgitation, renal kidney condition, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to diabetes mellitus type II, which resulted in hypoglycemia. The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service or at any other time, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death on this basis. Additionally, DIC benefits were not granted as the Veteran was not rated as totally disabled due to a service-connected disability prior to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as a presumptive condition due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act, is granted. The effective date of this grant is August 10, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis, without considering the PACT Act. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment as of October 6, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background prior to March 30, 2018, and from October 1, 2019. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication based on all available evidence, including recent VA medical records and social security records.