Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability, and kidney disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions on the relationship between the Veteran's DM and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer residuals, Cushing's syndrome, CAD, hypertension, and DMII due to exposure to various chemicals during service. The AOJ is directed to verify the Veteran's reported exposures and obtain VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records as well as any relevant Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, sleep apnea, and diabetes as due to service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD is denied. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria as he did not have a constant need for aid and attendance, primarily due to his nonservice-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied for CAD in the period prior to January 9, 2018, and from January 9, 2018 to November 1, 2019. A 60 percent rating is granted for CAD beginning November 1, 2019. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective March 23, 2018. SMC based on housebound criteria and TDIU are also granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. The PACT Act of 2022 extends this presumption for veterans who served in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. Hypertension was also found to be related to service, but no rating is assigned due to lack of compensable manifestations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed without prejudice due to the combined disability rating of 100% from March 23, 2021. The issue of SMC is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base where he served.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for renal cancer and lung cancer (secondary to renal cancer) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are all found to be related to his active duty service. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction (ED) as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, continuous symptoms since service, or a nexus to service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, lumbar spine disability, lung cancer, hypertension, lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy, as the evidence does not support a link to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of proper investigation into the Veteran's claimed nautical service in Vietnam, which could have provided herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of April 23, 2020.