Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Panama and the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted. His claims for respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, have been denied. The case is remanded for a VA examination regarding the relationship between his type II diabetes mellitus and his service-connected thoracolumbar strain and/or bilateral foot disabilities.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for hypertension on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act is granted. Service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act is remanded due to potential prior effective date issues.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the adjudication of his claims regarding a higher rating for diabetes and a separate disability rating for bilateral retinopathy.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as it has been over five years since the last examination.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 1, 2013, to March 1, 2017, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from working in a physical capacity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, low back pain, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of splenectomy, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for residuals of splenectomy due to lack of evidence of a current disability. Service connection was also denied for diabetes as it was not incurred in service or related to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's neuropathy claim was denied because there is no link between the right ankle injury and the current symptoms.

The Board found that the appellant's appeal was untimely and denied it, as her substantive appeal was not received within one year of the October 2014 rating decision or more than 60 days after the March 17, 2017 SOC.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus II with erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show the need for insulin, and therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) as the VA failed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure at Fort McClellan. The case will be referred for a formal finding that sufficient information required to verify herbicide agent exposure does not exist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded his service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal is currently pending due to a need for further verification of herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The claims for glaucoma, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), right shoulder disability, and left femur disability are remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has been reopened and granted. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected somatic symptom disorder aggravated his Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM II), causing him to require a cholecystectomy and resulting in hepatic steatosis.,Service connection is granted for residual symptoms of a cholecystectomy and hepatic steatosis on secondary bases due to the Veteran's DM II.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding both hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II. The hypertension issue is being considered on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, while the diabetes mellitus type II issue requires additional examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals, left leg disability, left arm disability, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete medical opinions and potential exposure to toxic substances during service. The VA is required to obtain additional opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in any extremity, and therefore service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so both claims for service connection are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to exposure to environmental contaminants at Fort McClellan, Alabama is being remanded for further consideration.