Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has granted effective earlier dates of June 3, 2020 for the award of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension and related peripheral neuropathies. The decision is based on exposure to herbicide agents during service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for a right lung granuloma, as the evidence is at least in relative equipoise that it had its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and GERD secondary to sinusitis due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, left hand tremors (claimed as tremors of the hands), diabetes mellitus type II, posttraumatic right bicep tendon pain, and low back pain have all been denied.,There is no evidence in the record to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to re-adjudicate the claims for service connection for various disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including GERD and several musculoskeletal conditions. The initial rating for GERD was denied due to the lack of symptoms meeting a higher rating criteria. Other claims are remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service-connected periods.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 and related diabetic neuropathy have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the physical limitations caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,New evidence has been submitted that supports the existence of a current disability in some cases, but not all.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA benefits are denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to October 9, 2017, as his combined disability rating was already at 100% on that date.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also denied due to the effective date being set at October 9, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as well as secondary conditions. The PACT Act requires a VA examination in these cases.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus should be remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board dismissed the petition to readjudicate the service connection claim for diabetes mellitus Type I and denied a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA benefits are denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to October 9, 2017, as his combined disability rating was already at 100% on that date.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also denied due to the effective date being set at October 9, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and no credible medical nexus between the conditions and service.,Both prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus were diagnosed many years after service, raising doubt about their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,For the compensable evaluation claim related to first degree AV block with chest pain, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as his condition does not meet the criteria for a workload greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs resulting in dyspnea or fatigue.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes and a respiratory condition as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or radiation during service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient information regarding his specific conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date earlier than May 10, 2017 and a higher rating for bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied an increased rating for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, finding that the Veteran's diabetes was controlled with oral medications and insulin injections without requiring regulation of activities. The evidence did not support a higher rating as required by the criteria.