Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50% disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before the Board at the RO. The issues of service connection for a rash of the legs and an effective date prior to August 13, 1996, for diabetes mellitus, type II, are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, as his diagnosis is based on in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The claim for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to additional evidence submitted since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to lack of verification of claimed stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral ankle disorder, arthritis of hands, and hypertension will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and Parkinson's disease are granted as presumptively due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as the evidence supports a current diagnosis and presumptive exposure to herbicides during his active duty service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating does not meet the threshold for consideration of a schedular TDIU, as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran died from cardiopulmonary arrest due to diabetes, which were not service-connected at the time of his death. The Board found that neither the cause of death nor any service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus was granted in April 2002 with an effective date of July 30, 1996. The Board found that the earlier effective date requested by the Veteran could not be assigned due to lack of evidence indicating a prior intent to file such a claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer and related conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board also finds it is at least as likely as not that these conditions have caused or contributed to his other diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran is currently service-connected for erectile dysfunction, but it has not resulted in deformity of the penis.

The Board has remanded the claims due to unclear reasoning and failure to consider a June 2004 decision granting another veteran entitlement to disability benefits for diabetes mellitus resulting from herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The reduction in rating of coronary artery disease was not proper as there was no actual improvement in the disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and COPD. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection, as they are not shown to be related to his active military service or due to radiation exposure. The claims have been denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, effective from September 13, 2007. The condition requires insulin and restricted diet as part of its management.