Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records that have not yet been associated with the claims file.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from July 22, 2016 onward. The decision is based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding records and additional development needed, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, chronic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), and bilateral hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of multiple joints. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other contaminants during service in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The Board has stayed the adjudication of cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues are remanded to allow for a respiratory VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, both diseases presumptively associated with exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal is remanded for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has not been able to determine the reason for the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification. Additionally, the AOJ must obtain his complete medical records from his time in active service, including hospitalizations due to ash and dust exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is granted. The gout claim is remanded.

The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid problems, and diabetes mellitus are denied. Service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure is granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the right kidney tumor.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus, with the condition being in equipoise as to whether it prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related issues due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all granted due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand and has been diagnosed with these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Other claims for various conditions were denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure. The issues of peripheral neuropathy and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical DDD, lumbar DDD, and DM have been dismissed. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's in-service travel to Da Nang, Vietnam, from September 21, 1970, to October 1, 1970, is presumed due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service-connected based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The VA needs to obtain records from Dr. Hanley and provide a supplemental medical opinion.