Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension. However, the case is remanded as new evidence submitted since November 2006 does not provide a clear and unmistakable error in severing service connection for this condition. The VA examiner must consider all medical evidence including proteinuria episodes and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's kidney disorders are related to her service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 80 percent, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Heart Disease, both presumed due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and a separate evaluation for erectile dysfunction with Peyronie's disease. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle, knee, hip, wrist, and elbow disabilities have been withdrawn.,Service connection is being remanded for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing and will not make a decision on the merits until all necessary actions are taken.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and thus the presumption of Agent Orange exposure does not apply. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were not shown in service or within one year post-service, and there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and lumbar spine osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding his employment status and functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, diabetes mellitus, and eye disability are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and maintaining any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current credible diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, TBI or any chronic vision disorder/dizziness/dental disability. The diabetes mellitus is not service-connected as it did not manifest in-service and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires the use of insulin and oral medications, but does not require regulation of activities. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the case to obtain additional medical records. The issues of service connection for pancreatitis (secondary to Agent Orange exposure) and for diabetes mellitus (secondary to pancreatitis) are still pending.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The diabetes requires a restricted diet and insulin, but does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran died of metastatic melanoma. The VA medical opinion found that his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus did not contribute to or cause the death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and neuropathy, have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.