Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide agent exposure during service. The Veteran reported multiple locations, but further research is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents at any of these locations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a head disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, heart disorder, DM, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is directed to obtain all relevant records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The hypertension claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the left hand, and neuropathy of the right hand have been denied. The VA has also remanded cases regarding a lower back disorder and neuralgia of the sciatic nerves in both legs.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance prior to May 8, 2019 is denied as the evidence does not show he was in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetic nephropathy with hypertension was denied. However, he was granted a TDIU and SMC at the 'housebound rate'.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to bowel obstruction, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities because the evidence did not establish that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him helpless enough to need regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension remains at 30 percent, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow disability and service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to inadequate examinations. The Board also found the VA opinions regarding these conditions to be insufficient.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were causally related to the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as the evidence did not show a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient efforts by VA in verifying his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes did not prevent him from securing or maintaining a gainful occupation prior to July 5, 2018.

The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, foot disability (claimed as blisters or blood poison), respiratory disability (COPD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiac/heart disability, right lower extremity PVD, left lower extremity PVD, right lower extremity DVT, left lower extremity DVT, embolism, cellulitis, right ulnar peripheral neuropathy, and left ulnar peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The claims for service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, back/spine disability, and left eye disability are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided in previous VA opinions. The issues include peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, DM, hypertension, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, left hip disorder, and left leg disorder have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's claim for ulceration of the right septum has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6502.