Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims that are currently pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar I disorder, was previously denied but reopened due to new and material evidence. The claim is now granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss remains denied as no new or material evidence has been submitted.

The claim to reopen the previously denied service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, and service connection is established based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) prior to September 9, 2013, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand and his current diagnosis supports this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep condition, which is related to diabetes mellitus, and for additional benefits for his dependent spouse. The case will be returned for further development including obtaining updated medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for multiple sclerosis with left foot drop and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremity are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, including verifying exposure to hazardous chemicals and radiation during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since January 17, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings on this issue and service connection for other conditions are denied.

The Board previously denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, and the Court granted a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) to clarify whether the Veteran had additional periods of ACDUTRA in 1997. The JMR found that VA medical opinions did not address direct causation during an unidentified period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1997. The case is now remanded to identify all periods of ACDUTRA in 1997 and obtain a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was directly caused by her 1997 period(s) of ACDUTRA.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's disabilities to any injury or disease during service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of OSA, as it was not raised in his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Taiwan. The Veteran's duties as a communication security accountant involved regular and repeated maintenance of COMSEC equipment aboard C-123 aircrafts.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, and heart disability due to potential new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, cataracts, hypertension, and excessive urination due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete evidence.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for right knee and left shoulder disabilities. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral foot disorder, and hypertension are remanded.