Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hand disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral hip bursitis, skin disorder, right shoulder disorder, and alcoholic pancreatitis are all denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, secondary to sepsis, secondary to community acquired pneumonia with significant factors being uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected diabetic retinopathy as of May 8, 2010 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating and service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in August 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as right-sided sciatica), and Peyronie's disease with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims are now resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic nephropathy and erectile dysfunction was denied. The issue of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service and the current condition was not shown in service or within one year thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for lumbar myositis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, kidney disability, sleep problems, bilateral elbow disabilities, and bilateral hand disabilities were denied as there is no evidence that any such conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is not related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II remains pending.

The Veteran's obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, and lymphedema are all found to be secondary to the service-connected obesity.,Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are deemed to have been caused by or aggravated by the service-connected obesity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, arrange for a VA examination, and adjudicate the claims of an earlier effective date for service connection and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and has diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, his exposure to Agent Orange is presumed, and service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The appellant's need for aid and attendance or housebound status will be evaluated.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not manifested during his active service, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active service, and is not shown to have manifested within one year from the date of his separation from active service. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred during service and is not related to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis is not service-connected as it did not have its clinical onset during service and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's heart condition is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service, nor any nexus to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service and the current disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service, nor any nexus to service.,The Veteran's urinary condition is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service and the current disability is not related to service.