Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the effective dates are set to October 13, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of her exposure history and potential presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure. The claims will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's ED is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and/or sleep apnea. The Board has granted the claim for service connection of ED as secondary to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, headaches, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea as additional development is necessary due to incomplete STRs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claims of service connection for lung cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to exposure to jet fuel and gasoline during service aboard the USS Shangri La.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability as secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the issue of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus on bases other than the PACT Act is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a compensable disability rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss due to incomplete information and need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to PTSD with obesity as an intermediate step due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion. The Veteran's contentions regarding obesity being an intermediate step in his PTSD causing or aggravating his diabetes were not addressed by the VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as mild-to-moderate tricompartmental degenerative changes in the left knee, is granted. The Board also remanded for VA TERA examinations to determine if her respiratory issues and other disabilities are related to her exposure to asbestos and PFOA/PFOS during service.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.,Service connection has also been granted for hypertension, which is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and obesity as an intermediate step.,Additionally, the Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), determined to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus with obesity as an intermediate factor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or any such condition during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to scheduling issues with VA examinations. The Board will attempt to schedule the necessary examinations at the closest VA Medical Center to the Veteran's home.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need an addendum opinion from an examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed diabetes mellitus type II, including as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was granted with an effective date of April 20, 2022. The decision is based on the Veteran's actions in filing a VA Form 21-526EZ in April 2022, which was considered as an intent to file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (sciatic and femoral nerves) was granted effective August 10, 2022, based on presumed herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act. However, the evidence does not support this presumption.,The Veteran's service records do not indicate any in-service diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy. The most probative evidence shows that these conditions were first diagnosed years after his separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), are denied. The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for DM, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to duty or visitation in Vietnam.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for DM is also remanded because there is no medical opinion addressing whether his DM is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hepatitis C (claimed as chronic chemical hepatitis) due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service event or exposure related to these conditions.

The Board has found that the claims for service connection for Congestive Heart Failure, Type II Diabetes, Coronary Artery Disease, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA is instructed to clarify the type of toxic exposure conceded in the TERA memo and obtain an adequate opinion addressing the Veteran's exposure to commercial herbicides and insecticides at Fort Polk.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 10, 2022 for the increased rating of 100 percent for type 2 diabetes. The Veteran's increase in diabetic symptoms occurred on or after this date.