Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve the anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, nor do they cause him to be permanently bedridden or render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is not warranted.

The Board granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act, finding that while the Veteran served at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand, he was not exposed to herbicides on a facts found or direct basis during his service.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. § 35 is denied as the effective dates are not earlier than May 2, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Korea, which may affect the outcome of these cases.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed these claims as the Veteran explicitly requested their withdrawal.

The VA has decided that new evidence received after an unappealed January 2020 rating decision is relevant to the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and medical history.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and non-small cell lung cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma, tremors, and a left eye disability are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was also not shown to be related to service.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus but the Board finds that his tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and/or dioxides during his active duty service, particularly at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The AOJ is directed to attempt to verify any such exposures and obtain relevant VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The Board requested additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of all his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and to determine if service connection can be established for heart disability and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claim due to the need for additional medical comment addressing whether pain in the Veteran's joints, including especially in his neck, back, and legs, is secondary to his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus related to his active service or presumed herbicide exposure. The Board also found no functional impairment caused by his impaired fasting glucose.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes. The AOJ needs to secure updated treatment records and obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation of hypertension by diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service environmental exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 25, 2014. The decision found that the Veteran was not precluded from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for depression, diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, and sleep apnea. Service connection was also remanded for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure or secondary service connection, and that there was no persuasive evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities were related to his military service.