Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his active military service while stationed at Fort Drum, and therefore grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, cancer of the neck, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer as due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to August 5, 2015, and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not found to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident residuals, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA examinations and review of outpatient records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a complete list of his post-service employment history.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and diabetes mellitus were not related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and orthopedic conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since February 10, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU rating from that date.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure and the disease did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for DIC benefits due to service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, as well as her claim for an effective date prior to May 30, 1997, for a 100% disability rating for PTSD on the basis of CUE in a March 2001 rating decision. The cause of death was found unrelated to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during the Vietnam era.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy, associated with service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective from April 22, 2011 until February 4, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred during service due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and ED which are related to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran does not have current diabetes mellitus, type II or hypertension. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension, service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.