Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes and hypertension, finding that there is not substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claims are to be reconsidered in light of new evidence or clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, liver cancer, rectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's lay statements indicate he was exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminants during service, specifically at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type II related to these exposures.

The Board has remanded the previously denied claims for service connection due to a liberalizing law that requires VA to adjudicate these claims without needing new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a thyroid disorder due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as it was granted by a May 2023 rating decision and constitutes a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in service, particularly during his time in or near the Korean DMZ. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his diabetes mellitus is related to his toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The Veteran's diabetes was rated at 40% since July 8, 2013, and his bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was rated at 20% from February 9, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection was also granted for left upper extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to VA's inability to obtain certain treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU during the period prior to June 19, 2012. However, due to his combined 100% disability rating from June 19, 2012, to May 26, 2017, and October 14, 2019, TDIU is not warranted based on the schedular criteria. The Veteran's file should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection and there was no credible evidence linking the condition to his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and skin cancer (melanoma) as claimed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service herbicide exposure or a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for transient ischemic attack (TIA) was denied as there were no residuals or sequalae during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied due to lack of regulation of activities and episodes of hypoglycemic reactions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is based on insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in recognized herbicide presumptive areas and the need for a VA examination.

The rating reductions for diabetic polyneuropathy were restored, and the Veteran's service connection claims for other conditions remain pending.,A remand was ordered to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service, and thus denied claims for COPD, lung cancer, CAD, colon cancer, bladder cancer, and diabetes mellitus. The cases have been remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death is deemed to be due to a cerebrovascular accident, which was found to have been substantially or materially contributed by service-connected conditions including diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 has been dismissed as moot since the greater benefit of service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to uncertainty about the specific dates of all periods of Active Duty Training and Indefinite Non-Training Duty (ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA) in the Veteran's Reserve service. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.