Diabetes Board decisions

The claim for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure was denied as the Veteran did not serve in or near the Korean DMZ during the relevant period. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. The Veteran's conditions are considered presumptive under the PACT Act.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during active service, and thus, denial of presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an error in verifying the Veteran's route from San Diego to USS Constellation at Yankee Station, which reportedly involved travel from Da Nang Air Base. The claims are now pending for further investigation.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the appeal was erroneously docketed under the Modernized Appeals System (AMA) and is dismissed. The issues will be addressed in a decision under the legacy system at a later date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, and thus grants his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome is remanded. The claim for a separate compensable disability rating for these conditions is also remanded due to its inextricability with the effective date issue.

The Veteran's type II diabetes, prostate cancer, IHD, and hypothyroidism are granted service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in the Korean DMZ. Service connection for ED is also granted as secondary to his prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Eglin Air Force Base in January 1969, which is necessary for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicide agents during his period of service in Germany, as this is necessary to determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange and thus eligible for presumptive service connection.

The appeal pertaining to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed.,The appeals for ratings in excess of 40 and 60 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with associated erectile dysfunction and diabetic nephropathy are denied.,The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) with erectile dysfunction was granted effective April 1, 2021. The Board found that the liberalizing law applicable to herbicide agent exposure in Korea during which the presumption of DMII applies retroactively to January 1, 2020, allowed for an earlier effective date of April 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and residuals of squamous cell carcinoma was granted. Effective July 16, 2018, the Veteran received service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, and effective August 31, 2018, he received service connection for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma.,The initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II remains at 20 percent. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and other issues were denied. The Veteran was granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD effective July 7, 1997, and SMC at the housebound rate from October 28, 2002. The issue of TDIU prior to July 2, 2004, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, throat cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, seborrheic dermatitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted as they are presumed to be related to his service-connected conditions under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting his right and left upper extremities have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea are remanded due to potential exposure to PCBs while stationed at Fort McClellan. The right knee and left knee disability ratings are also remanded as the evidence is conflicting. The TDIU and SMC based on loss of use of the lower extremities claims are remanded in conjunction with the knee issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted a 40 percent evaluation, but his claim for service connection of bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids, diverticulitis secondary to IBS, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to her military service.