Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and bladder dysfunction as secondary to service-connected multiple sclerosis (MS), major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection but rather about the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for COPD is remanded due to incomplete VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as Crohn's disease) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disorder, basal cell carcinoma of the back, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and alcohol use disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diabetes was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and alcohol use disorder, meeting the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, acute renal failure, end stage liver disease, and diabetes mellitus as these conditions are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a left eye disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities results in loss of use of his feet, which meets the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or Agent Orange and no competent medical evidence showing a current disability. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II did not manifest within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's current diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be associated with his exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) during his Vietnam Era active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy have been granted. These conditions are presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure in Guam.

The Veteran's asthma bronchial was granted service connection in a rating decision dated April 2022, effective August 5, 2021.,Service connection for depression with chronic pain and diabetes mellitus were denied as the evidence did not establish current disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and right-hand disability are all granted as service-connected. The diabetes is presumed based on a diagnosis within one year of service discharge. The psychiatric condition is found to be at least as likely as not related to service. The right-hand disability is denied due to lack of in-service event or injury.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure.,His diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and bilateral lower extremities is proximately due to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and esophageal cancer are all granted. However, the claim for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in duty to assist.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes type II as a result of herbicide exposure is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral neuropathy, which may be secondary to the service-connected diabetes, is remanded.