Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II requires insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The current rating of 20 percent is appropriate as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of diabetes on or before May 8, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus is denied as the disability was not caused by negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for service connection for cause of death is April 14, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The VA determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and left knee disability.

The Veteran's cause of death, multi-system failure, was at least as likely as not due to or contributed to substantially or materially to the cause of death by diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease. These conditions are presumptive disorders resulting from Agent Orange exposure during service in Korea.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) and secondary service-connected erectile dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic ulcers. The Veteran appealed this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The Veteran's claim of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, hypertension, a shoulder disability, benign prostate hyperplasia, fatigue, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, skin disorders, allergies, sleep apnea, and hyperlipidemia. The reasons provided were that there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events, injuries, or diseases related to these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy was rated at 60 percent prior to March 17, 2015. After the increase in rating to 80 percent effective from March 17, 2015, the Board found that an initial evaluation of 80 percent is warranted for the Veteran's diabetic nephropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a vocational assessment to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death, was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition he served with. The cause of death was cardio respiratory failure due to metastatic carcinoma in the brain.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis as a result of herbicide exposure during the Vietnam era.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was incurred during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, a left knee disorder, and a right hip disorder. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and low back injury with paravertebral myositis remain pending before the Board as less than the maximum benefit available was granted in a previous decision.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which may be related to elevated blood sugar levels prior to separation from active service. Further development including VA examination and obtaining medical records are required.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and erectile dysfunction remain pending before the Board as less than the maximum benefit available was granted in a previous decision. Further development including VA examination is required.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and erectile dysfunction are intertwined with his claim for diabetes mellitus. Further development including VA examination is required.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and erectile dysfunction remain pending before the Board as less than the maximum benefit available was granted in a previous decision. Further development including VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of TDIU is remanded as it may affect the disability ratings assigned.