Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate VA etiological opinions and the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's physical and psychological limitations from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral eye disability is granted. The claim of service connection for GERD is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, residuals of stroke, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, left leg paralysis, left arm paralysis, and left eye disability due to potential herbicide exposure in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to verify this exposure and then readjudicate the service connection claims.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected hypoxic disorder, mental health and cognitive disorder from May 23, 2016. He is also granted SMC from May 23, 2016.,The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU for the period from August 31, 2012 to May 23, 2016 on an extraschedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) to the Director of Compensation Service.,The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence showing he was unemployable solely based on his service-connected disabilities during the period from August 31, 2012 to May 23, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to in-service herbicide exposure and secondary conditions. The issues include DM, hepatitis C, HTN, a skin condition (excluding tinea versicolor), including eczema and dermatitis, and kidney failure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and prostate cancer associated with herbicide exposure, finding no in-service exposure to such agents.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and a separate 30 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy is granted.

The Veteran's disability rating for a heart disorder was restored from 60% to 30%, effective August 8, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, thus restoring the original rating.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of medical records supporting a diagnosis during service and insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development and review.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being reviewed to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability (Chronic Adjustment Disorder).,The matter of whether the Veteran's Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (manifesting as memory loss) is secondary to his newly service-connected psychiatric disability will be submitted for review.,The Board has remanded several claims related to sleep apnea and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia and surgical scar.,Several skin disorder claims are being reviewed, including whether they are secondary to exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is also being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,Several other claims are being remanded, including those related to sleep apnea, memory loss, skin disorders, heart disorder, sinus disorder, left shoulder disorder, gout, knee disorder, leg disorder, visual disorder, prostate disorder, foot disorder, and thyroid disorder.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from February 7, 2014, as he had a combined rating of 60% for his service-connected disabilities. The decision acknowledges that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. As such, service connection for hypertension may be granted on this basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both claimed as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure. The issues are being remanded due to a failure to provide adequate reasons and bases, specifically regarding the duty to assist.

DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied, and the case is remanded for further evaluation of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction is reopened and remanded as new evidence suggests a possible link between the Veteran's diabetes and his erectile dysfunction.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and heart disease, as they are related to his service-connected hypertension. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, service connection, and effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all claims.

The Board has granted service connection for post-surgical cataracts on a secondary basis to diabetes mellitus.