Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II and associated diabetic neuropathy disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since February 8, 2018. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes, bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy. The development required includes verifying potential exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) and non-ionizing radiation while serving at Clear Air Force Station in Alaska, as well as possible exposure to PFAS during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) at Fort Chaffee.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and papillary thyroid cancer on the basis of exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Guam. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding his exposure is considered credible, and a medical opinion supports the link between these conditions and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and related issues due to incomplete opinions regarding service connection. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for right shoulder impingement, left wrist osteoarthritis, and a left wrist scar are also being remanded.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for burial benefits is also remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for cause of death may be granted if it can be shown that his coronary artery disease was caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids and entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Korea, specifically near the DMZ. The appellant needs to provide more details or contact the VA for assistance.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are dismissed. Service connection for MGUS is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lymphoma at multiple sites, liver disability, bilateral hip disability, hepatitis B, acid reflux, and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is not granted as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent prior to October 30, 2019, for his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no link between the Veteran's psychiatric disability and the condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act, presumptive for exposure to herbicides.,Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as it is presumed due to in-service noise exposure.,Nummular dermatitis and diabetic dermopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted as they are presumed due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period of March 31, 2016 to November 13, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient new evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 6, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, specifically whether it is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water and/or burn pits in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, specifically related to exposures at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and related peripheral neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy (end-stage renal disease) and diabetic retinopathy have all been granted. The PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure is not applicable to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease. The Veteran was not found to have been exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Panama and Puerto Rico.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base. The effective date is August 10, 2022, the day after the PACT Act was enacted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral cataracts has been granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the entire period on appeal.