Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for squamous cell carcinoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to inadequate medical opinions addressing service connection based on herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to seek clarification from the physician who prepared the December 2023 TERA opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes status.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), back disability, shoulder disability, and knee disability as there was no evidence of onset during or related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 18, 2015, for a grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence being added to the claims file after the February 2020 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, finding that there is no direct link between his current diagnosis and his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection due to his thyroidectomy. The decision does not address any exposure basis or provide a rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to appear for scheduled examinations and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has found a procedural issue and is remanding the case for further action, including sending a copy of the December 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case to the Appellant's representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of both lower and upper extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Drum, which qualifies as an herbicide agent under VA laws and regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected DM based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including for rheumatoid arthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease and acetabular cyst status post total hip replacement, osteoarthritis or unspecified joints, psoriatic arthritis, hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, compromised immune system, fever sores, and enlarged liver. The remand requires additional development to address the Veteran's exposure to chemicals during his duties as a missile crewman.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2, PTSD, and adenocarcinoma of the stomach and duodenum are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The service connection for these conditions is being reviewed in light of potential exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the causes of the Veteran's death and their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, which were dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports. The issues include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney conditions, gallbladder conditions, appendix conditions, sinusitis, erectile dysfunction, and eye problems. These matters will be addressed by new medical opinions regarding exposure at Pease Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as left eye cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability prior to June 15, 2011 is remanded. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and referred it to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as diabetic retinopathy due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety, was granted service connection. Left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction were also granted. However, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee flexion limitation, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and hypertension are denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus is not met.