Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension as claimed by the Veteran. The claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left eye cataracts and his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, as well as the potential aggravation of these conditions. The examiner must consider all toxic exposure risk activities (TERA), including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for updated VA records, employment history information, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee tendonitis has been granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities. Her initial rating for the condition is now at a 10 percent, effective from February 7, 2024.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and sleep apnea due to insufficient reasons and bases in the January 2022 decision, as well as unclear consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since July 19, 2010 and 70% since August 2, 2016. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from July 19, 2010.,A higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and nephropathy with hypertension; bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves; bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; and a lumbar spine disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for the entire period of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a TERA medical opinion. The Veteran's diabetes is being considered based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting findings regarding his in-service chemical exposure and the need for further development. The issues of diabetes, bilateral eye disorder (cataracts), and urinary incontinence are all related and require additional examination and clarification.

The Veteran's death was due to lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The Board found no evidence of service connection for these conditions and concluded that the appellant did not provide sufficient evidence of exposure to radiation or other harmful substances during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability resulting from aggravation by his service-connected knee disabilities.,The Veteran's chest pain (claimed as costochondritis) remains on appeal, with an addendum opinion required to address all documented in-service incidents of chest pain.

The Board has denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, retinopathy, skin disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents and other toxins during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure at Camp Lejeune, as well as his TDIU claim. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on obtaining TERA examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was incurred during active duty service due to herbicide agent exposure, and it is at least as likely as not that his pancreatic cancer was either secondary to or secondarily aggravated by his diabetes. Therefore, the criteria for entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death have been met.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and a need for an updated medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a lumbar spine disability due to issues with obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's diabetes is being evaluated in relation to his psychiatric disability, while the lumbar spine disability will be evaluated in relation to his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The claims for reopening of previously denied left great toe disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted, but the issues of service connection remain pending.