Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The back condition claim was not reopened, and the initial evaluation for coronary artery disease from November 27, 1996 to September 1, 2005 was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining clarification of when the Veteran was first formally diagnosed with diabetes and seeking records from service. The examiner is also requested to provide an opinion on whether the diabetes had its onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of its manifestation within one year post-service, nor a continuity of symptoms since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand and therefore cannot establish a claim for service connection based on herbicide exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any direct or secondary service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are currently rated as 20%, 10%, 10%, and 0% respectively. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for large cell lymphoma was not adjudicated as it is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for latent diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension as not related to active military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, heart disease, and residuals of a CVA are service connected. The cause of the Veteran's death is also service connected.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II has been rated at 20 percent since his service connection was granted in September 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not show regulation of activities due to diabetes and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined rating for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident is granted at 100 percent, effective June 1, 2008. The Veteran also meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The appeals are remanded to further develop and consider these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease, providing an opinion on whether diabetes mellitus, type II, is secondary to his service-connected disability, and completing additional development related to his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records from 2000 to 2006.

The Board found that the appellant's period of service from November 5, 1968 to December 9, 1973 was terminated under other than honorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. As a result, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, throat cancer, and heart problems. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated in light of all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by any disability incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.