Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and type II diabetes due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service connected as there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities involving the femoral nerve was denied evaluations in excess of 20 percent on or after April 13, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there is no evidence showing he is precluded from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions have worsened beyond what is already reflected in their current disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are denied. The claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to an herbicide agent or treatment for meningitis that could have caused the current condition. The claim for prostate cancer is remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are based on direct evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy with dry eyes and cataract is granted a 20% rating effective March 6, 2020. The ratings for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, and malaria remain denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires only a restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent, not requiring insulin or regulation of activities. Therefore, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure in Guam. The claim of direct service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for short term memory loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) are remanded.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim(s) at this time.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure during service, but no TERA memorandum and ILER report have been prepared. The Veteran's military occupational specialty was a civilian stock clerk, and he reported handling supplies aboard ships.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the service connection for diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and the rating of a heart disability. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU stems from his November 2018 claim, and the effective date of TDIU is denied as a matter of law due to the finality of prior decisions.

The Veteran's cause of death is presumed to be related to military service under the PACT Act, which became effective August 10, 2022. Service connection for the cause of death is granted as of that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, diabetes, hypertension, and OSA as secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities, including obesity as an intermediary step. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding TERA exposure, causation, aggravation, and obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which was secondary to his service-connected IHD and DM, has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the benefits sought have been fully granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and dysautonomia, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer due to herbicide exposure, as well as the cause of death claim. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the translated Chinese treatment records submitted in July 2024.