Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and insufficient medical evidence linking current diabetes to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, or hypertension. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Thailand. The case will be referred to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for further verification.

The Veteran's diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, major depressive disorder, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are all rated at the current levels. The Board has ordered remand to obtain updated medical records and examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes and prostate cancer, presumed to be caused by his service exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange, were found to have contributed substantially to his death. Service connection for the cause of his death is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 has required oral medication, insulin injections, and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection for a dental disorder and its aggravation of diabetes. The Veteran's periodontal disease is related to his military service, but there are concerns about negligence or malpractice by the military dentists.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his diabetes mellitus, type II or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, including consideration of special monthly compensation (SMC), and for entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 7, 2010.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II, prior to August 29, 2016, was denied.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, since August 29, 2016, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to procedural and development deficiencies. The Veteran's death prevented proper compliance with prior remands.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's left eye non-proliferative retinopathy with bilateral cystoid diabetic macular edema does not result in any visual impairment, and thus does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected amputated right middle finger, as well as other conditions that did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The Board found no evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left knee disability, ischemic heart disease, lung disability, and sleep apnea. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence after left knee surgery is also denied as a matter of law. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory, sinus, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or lack of clear rationale in the previous VA examination. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's employability prior to May 7, 2013, and completing a formal TDIU application form.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and lumbar spine disability due to a failure to develop these issues properly. The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, right shoulder, and back disabilities are denied.