Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has found that new evidence was submitted and the claims are remanded to determine if the Veteran had service in Guam, which would trigger a presumption of exposure to herbicides. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain unit records for the 821st Civil Engineering Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's DM-II is not etiologically related to his service, including obesity as an intermediary step secondary to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance from February 5, 2007, to October 13, 2020, resulting in the grant of SMC A&A.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran was assigned the maximum schedular rating (100%) for prostate cancer due to service-connected conditions and is therefore denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's metastatic disease of the pelvis, spine, and proximal femur also received a maximum schedular rating (100%) throughout the appeal period, precluding any increase in disability ratings.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at 20% for the entire appeal period. The Veteran is denied an increased rating as there are no additional criteria met to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in service and insufficient medical opinion linking his current condition to any in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest within a presumptive period.

All claims for service connection related to sleep apnea, skin disability (undiagnosed illness), chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypercholesterolemia, headache disability, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension/high blood pressure, and type II diabetes mellitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the failure to file a subsequent Notice of Disagreement after filing for Higher-Level Review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a potential error in determining if the Veteran's ship was within the 12 nautical miles of Vietnam on August 15, 1971. The Veteran believes this could affect his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed. The appeals for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The appeal for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II and associated right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was granted with an effective date of March 29, 2011. The earlier effective date is denied as the law does not allow it.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicide agents, radioactive compounds, chemical warfare agents, and/or PCBs during active duty at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from active duty service, allowing for presumptive service connection.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder.

The Board has restored the 20 percent ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities and lumbar radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, effective from August 1, 2020. The Veteran's symptoms have not improved under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC have been granted with effective dates of November 3, 2017. The conditions were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at a 10 percent effective February 7, 2021. The Board found the evidence incomplete as it did not include private treatment records and remanded for their acquisition.,For ED, DMII, IBS, and GERD, VA must obtain medical opinions under PACT Act provisions due to in-service exposure risk activities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, blood pressure disorder, and peripheral neuropathy due to potential exposure to herbicides during service. The deck logs of the USS Hammerberg and USS Ranger need to be reviewed to determine if the Veteran was in an area where presumptive herbicide exposure took place.

The Board denied service connection for rectal bleeding and polyps, finding that the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by it. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus to obtain further evidence regarding in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, OSA, diabetes mellitus type II, and kidney disorder. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.