Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was initially denied in August 2009. The Board granted an effective date of February 1, 2008, based on the Veteran's qualifying service within the territorial sea of Vietnam and his herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus type II were granted, with increased ratings for some conditions. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 4, 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ will consider the claim in light of the entire claims file upon remand, including verifying potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other toxic chemicals.

The Veteran's appeal for additional retroactive pay from October 2018 to February 2021 is denied as he has already been paid the correct amount.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all six claimed conditions due to a procedural defect in his appeal form.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 19, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining her private medical treatment records from Dr. Lucy Davis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is required to attempt to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents, water contaminated with PFAS, and/or jet fuel during his periods of service.

The Board has granted service connection for plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disorder and bowel and bladder disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The July 2021 VA examiner concluded that the knees did not cause the diabetes but aggravated it.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including a below-the-knee amputation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension to include as secondary to a service-connected disability due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is presumed to have participated in a TERA, particularly by virtue of his deployment to Southwest Asia where he was exposed to toxic substances. A VA examination and medical opinion are needed regarding the onset and relationship of type II diabetes mellitus to service and whether it is related to or aggravated by TERA exposure. For hypertension, a VA medical opinion is also required considering total potential exposure through all applicable military deployments and synergistic effects of TERA.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his time stationed near the DMZ in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the Lower Extremities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is found to have its onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was caused by diabetes mellitus type II, which is service-connected. The Board found that the service-connected diabetes was the principal cause of his death.

The Veteran's dementia, diagnosed as mild neurocognitive disorder, is granted service connection secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. His rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The appeal for service connection on five conditions (heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes, left foot swelling, and left leg swelling) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure. The Veteran's headaches have been linked to his military service, while there is no evidence linking the diabetes to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities and a bilateral feet skin condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.