Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for lung cancer, COPD, diabetes and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand, which is presumed to cause ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the cause of the Veteran's death is considered due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during his active duty service in Thailand.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from July 6, 2010 to the present. His erectile dysfunction does not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 100 percent rating no earlier than July 10, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, most notably PTSD, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset during active service or within one year thereafter. The claim was also denied on a direct basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scar of the face and forehead as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 4, 2008.,The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetic nephropathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in July 2015. The Veteran's current cardiac disability and hypertension are being reviewed by an appropriate physician to determine their relationship with his service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The diabetes mellitus rating has not met the criteria for a higher rating, but his pilonidal cyst with recurrent open wound warrants an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes, coronary artery disease with cardiac valvulopathy (CAD), and transient ischemic attack associated with hypertension (TIA) have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is sufficient to establish that his left and right ear hearing loss are related to service, with aggravation beyond normal progression of the disease by noise exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of actual in-country service or exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it. However, service connection was denied for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection cannot be established because there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and neck disorder as the appellant did not become disabled by these conditions during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran was awarded compensation benefits for complications from a cardiac catheterization, including additional disabilities such as necrotizing fasciitis and diarrhea. He also received SMC based on his need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.