Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus proximately caused his renal failure and whether his renal failure contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the Appellant's service records and verification of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with onychomycosis has been rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that no higher evaluation can be assigned as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn on the issues of entitlement to service connection for ankle arthritis, gum disease, a cracked jawbone, hypertension and a skin condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have actual exposure to herbicide agents during service, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for heart disease or diabetes mellitus. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's death was caused by alcoholic liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, and pancreatic cancer with liver metastases. Diabetes mellitus, which is service-connected, contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were contributory causes of his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have leukemia or diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection for both conditions was denied as there is no evidence of in-service events, injuries, or diseases and no competent medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no in-service diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol, right shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder tendonitis, chronic ear infections, dental issues, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus issues) due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a request for a hearing. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, presumed due to herbicide exposure, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. The Board has also granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and lumbar spine with compression fracture of the thoracic spine, as well as right great toe joint replacement, status post degenerative joint disease. An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for each condition is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary failure due to esophageal cancer, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or his exposure to Agent Orange in service. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.