Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and finds that diabetes mellitus, which was incurred during active service, contributed to his death. As such, the Veteran's cause of death is related to service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 18, 2007, and in excess of 50 percent from June 18, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis and COPD were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability and diabetes mellitus have not been established as service-connected. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied service connection for Graves' disease, chronic allergies, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran also withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is likely as not related to noise exposure during his period of active military service. The Veteran's chronic tinnitus is also likely as not related to noise exposure during his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus and whether it is related to his military service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's chronic atrial fibrillation is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, was a causative risk factor for the development of chronic atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The claims of service connection and increased ratings are pending.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran is granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral hands and feet, essential hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease, as due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. As a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both claimed as the result of herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran died in September 2009 due to possible myocardial infarction caused by hypertension with diabetes mellitus as a significant condition. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to April 11, 2014. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and diabetes mellitus, type 2, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis.