Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, COPD, OSA secondary to PTSD, and other disabilities have been granted. The appeal is not about service connection for exposure-related conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period of June 18, 2015 to October 20, 2016. The evidence does not support an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound criteria prior to May 3, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA examiner did not address the issue of aggravation by the service-connected condition.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and arranging for a VA TERA examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, which were presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's onychomycosis was granted service connection as it is related to active service.,The Veteran's rhinitis and hemorrhoids were denied increased ratings as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,Service connection could not be granted because the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea, and he did not experience any current disabilities related to diabetes mellitus or diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and etiological opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary atherosclerosis; aneurysm of the thoracic aorta; asthma; left hepatic lobe cysts; anemia; arthritis of the upper extremities; arthritis of the lower extremities; neuropathy of the lower extremities; and left lung calcium deposit. The claims are remanded due to potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has identified errors in the decision and has ordered remand for further development of evidence related to service connection claims.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 21, 2019 for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected bilateral upper extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as the medical evidence does not support a need for regulation of activities due to his condition.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as lumbar spondylosis, herniated L5-S1, and chronic pain of the lumbosacral area. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides. The issue of service connection for DM on a direct and secondary basis remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service and this exposure is presumed to cause the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis, DM2, and esophageal varices are all granted. Cirrhosis is related to TCE exposure during service. DM2 is also related to TCE exposure. Esophageal varices are secondary to the now-service-connected cirrhosis.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) has been granted. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disorder, plantar fasciitis, and other related conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing onset or relationship to service. The issues of respiratory, heart, sleep, and fatigue disorders have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of medical evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted with effective dates of December 6, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type I (DM1) as there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of the condition, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.