Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board found that the reduction from a 40 percent to a 20 percent disability rating for type II diabetes mellitus was improper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and assigned a 100% rating, effective from the date of death (March 27, 2007). Service connection for prostate cancer is denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from October 1, 2006 to October 6, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination and outstanding records. The AOJ will have an opportunity to review this evidence on remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his diabetes or exposure to herbicides contributed to it. The case will be remanded for further action.

Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, a prostate disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and left knee degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support these claims. Service connection was previously denied for tinea pedis in 1973, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected heart condition, associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, contributed to his death from a subdural hematoma caused by a fall due to dizziness. The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether this was the case and grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to respiratory and vascular disorders, as well as the claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence does not show that the Veteran had presumptive exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange, nor is there probative evidence of exposure to such. As for diabetes mellitus type II, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to potential in-country service in Vietnam, need for additional medical examination, and review of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant does not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 or accrued benefits.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and diabetes were granted ratings, but the Veteran was denied higher ratings for his right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was also denied.

The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the disability and determine if it requires regulation of activities.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence of a direct relationship between his active service and the condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the current condition has not been linked to any incident, disease, or injury during service.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, asthma, and high cholesterol were not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.