Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depression, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, a heart condition, sarcoidosis, and a back disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service.

The Veteran's renal insufficiency was rated at 80% from March 31, 2008 to September 26, 2011. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities meeting the percentage standards for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides, and the claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and left upper extremity, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and grants service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease as due to such exposure.

The case is being remanded for additional development of medical records and the provision of a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis. The TDIU claim also needs to be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, lung condition, colon cancer, and skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as middle/lower back disorder), and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are all proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is granted based on presumed exposure during his temporary duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy did not manifest during his military service or within one year of separation, and there is no probative evidence indicating these conditions are causally related to his service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and cubital tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to consider the impact of his bilateral hearing loss on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, and heart condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the case needs to be remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and reviewing the Veteran's service records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's urinary and fecal incontinence is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected spine disabilities.