Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is secondary to a service-connected disability, has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of aggravation beyond natural progression.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy is rated at 20 percent, and the RO has requested a new examination to assess its current severity. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran died in January 2013 due to pancreatic cancer, which was not related to service or presumed herbicide exposure. His prostate cancer and diabetes did not cause his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA social and industrial survey to assess his employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment was denied as he does not meet the criteria for eligibility due to lack of loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The case is REMANDED to obtain an addendum opinion from the October 2012 VA examination report and to schedule the Veteran for another VA examination if deemed necessary.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence, including regarding exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to a request for a video conference hearing. The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as due to herbicide exposure, is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy is rated at 30 percent, effective April 4, 2012. The RO assigned a separate evaluation for the condition and granted an increased rating.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent effective March 10, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of Reserve service periods and obtaining a VA examination to determine if diabetes mellitus originated during active service or a period of ACDUTRA.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II since November 11, 2014. The Veteran's glaucoma is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes and bilateral cataracts were denied. The rating for bilateral cataracts was initially granted at a combined 20 percent, but later amended to 30 percent effective June 10, 2008.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, toenail disorder, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vein disorder, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the lower extremities, and eye disorder were not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not provide any statements attributing these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and glaucoma (secondary to diabetes) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The VA determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and it is not otherwise related to his military service, including his exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.