Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's death was caused by a shotgun wound to the head, but service-connected conditions such as diabetes and heart disease contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his diabetes, skin cancer, and GERD.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and its complications has been withdrawn. The current evaluation of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is maintained, as there are no compensable diabetic complications.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and finds that it is now granted as there is evidence to support a link between the current disability and active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and additional records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including nephropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is fixed at October 3, 2007.,The Veteran's effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus is fixed at July 16, 2010. The appellant argues that the earlier dates should apply due to VA treatment records and medications received from the VA pharmacy. However, there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to these dates.,The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent as his condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities (diabetic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease) is now 100 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected prostatitis. Diabetes mellitus type II and kidney disorder are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 40 percent since November 27, 2006. The effective date for this rating is November 27, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and Paget's disease with osteophytosis.,All claims are now granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of his claim. The initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remain unchanged. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease are presumed to have been incurred in service, and they contributed substantially or materially to his death from acute respiratory failure of pneumonitis. The Board grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an additional VA examination concerning the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after separation from active duty. The Board finds that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining deck logs and medical records. The Board will then determine if the Veteran's current hypertension and diabetes mellitus are related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were found to be related to his service-connected knee disabilities, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.