Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the September 2020 VA examination report. The diabetes claim is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as it did not manifest during active-duty service, was not otherwise etiologically related to an established incurrence of active-duty service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's lung cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be caused by his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a heart condition and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, but remanded for further evaluation of his cause of death and contributory causes.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer in remission status post radical prostatectomy, diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy has been granted with effective dates of July 15, 2019, February 6, 2019, and March 29, 2019 respectively. These conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) in Thailand during the Vietnam era.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was initially denied in June 2002 and became final. The Veteran filed a new Intent to File on February 6, 2019, which led to his claims being reopened and granted with an effective date of February 6, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran was not shown to have served in Vietnam or be exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board has granted service connection for a right eye disorder caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The TDIU claim is also granted, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 22, 2014 is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence addressing aggravation.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional VA examinations and the need to obtain certain medical records. The Veteran's claims include various symptoms such as sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disability, joint pain, kidney issues, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, including impairment caused by preoperative cataracts and diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, is currently rated as non-compensable. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative thoracolumbar spine, a 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, a 10 percent for right shoulder anterior cruciate degenerative joint disease, and a 10 percent for a sinus condition. The appeal is also dismissed for service connection claims including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, right hip arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as adjustment disorder and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records of his reserve service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's in-service exposure to herbicide agents is suspected but not verified. A TERA examination will be scheduled if verification of exposure occurs.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to TDIU due to the need to verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure in Panama and Puerto Rico. The results of this verification should be used by the RO in readjudicating these issues.