Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity tarsal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of stroke is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity disability, to include as secondary to service-connected LLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for sinusitis is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder rotator cuff (RTC) tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver have been granted. Diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, while cirrhosis of the liver is linked to the Veteran's now-service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires a restricted diet, regulation of activities, and medications but does not require insulin. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent as the evidence did not show that he required one or more daily injections of insulin.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further development as the claim was not previously evaluated with a VA examination.,The left knee and neck disabilities are not being remanded as there is no new evidence relevant to these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability and diabetes, finding that the conditions did not result from a disease or injury incurred during active duty or ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to chemicals were deemed insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of shell fragment wound, right calf, muscle group XI, with hypesthesia in the right great toe is denied. The Board found that his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, burst left ear drum, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorders, diabetes mellitus type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of veteran status prior to March 6, 1970.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, weight gain, and chronic lumbosacral pain have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has stayed the adjudication of cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including this case. The issues currently on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal pneumonia and other conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfeet, bilateral ankle disability, tinnitus, perforation of the right ear drum, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis (residuals, low back strain) has also been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, back disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, shoulder and hip disabilities, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were not shown as chronic in service or related to a service-connected disability. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions being related to his military service to be speculative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were first diagnosed 30 years after separation from service and are not considered to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents while serving on the U.S.S. Puget Sound.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in the Korean DMZ, which is necessary to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents.