Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to April 18, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities have been withdrawn. The remaining issues, including PTSD and TDIU, will be remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus did not begin during or as a result of his active duty service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to cause his death from a bronchopleural fistula due to chronic respiratory failure, esophageal surgery, and esophageal cancer. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to diabetic nephropathy and additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea are at least in part due to his service, while bilateral plantar fasciitis is not related to any of his periods of active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not file a claim for service connection for heart disease and diabetes prior to his death, which are diseases presumptively associated with Agent Orange exposure. Therefore, the Appellant is denied retroactive benefits under Nehmer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his alleged exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Board video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran meets the eligibility requirements for Chapter 33 education benefits and is granted educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. She has unused entitlement, allowing her to receive up to 36 months of benefits.

The Veteran died from a cerebrovascular accident and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, both of which were service-connected. However, the service-connected spondylitis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and melanoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine if any service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death, and whether they were principal or contributory causes of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the issues from his second substantive appeal, including those from 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and amputation of the second toe of the left foot is being remanded due to inadequate evidence regarding whether regulation of activities as prescribed by Diagnostic Code 7913 has resulted from his service-connected diabetes mellitus.