Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a combined disability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the impact of his diabetes mellitus on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed Type II Diabetes, prostate cancer, thyroid condition, and COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's below-knee amputation was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error. The underlying condition of gangrene was not due to a misdiagnosis and the treatment provided was appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to procedural defects, including the failure to issue a statement of the case for his disagreement with assigned evaluations and earlier effective dates. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated in conjunction with these issues.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disorders (tinea versicolor, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, and basal cell carcinoma), peripheral neuropathy, and ischemic heart disease were denied as the evidence did not support a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death. The medical evidence did not support a link between Agent Orange exposure and the cause of death.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the scalp was not shown to be related to his service and is therefore denied. The Veteran's hypertension is currently considered 'unknown' in terms of its connection to service, but it may be proximately due to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was reopened due to new evidence. However, his claims for diabetes mellitus and anemia were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, chronic renal insufficiency, and Type II diabetes mellitus due to exposure to tactical chemical herbicides were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a link between the conditions and active duty.

The Board denied reopening the previously-denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the disease did not become chronic during service or within one year of separation and was not related to service. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's exposure claims and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. The claims for service connection will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral eye problems (proliferative diabetic retinopathy) as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a causal relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify his exposure to Agent Orange during service aboard the USS Shelton and to obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by his service, as there was no evidence of such diseases during service. The acquired psychiatric disorder was diagnosed during the appeal period but the examiner could not determine if it was caused or aggravated by service.