Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board found no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer due to such exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which suggests a possible link between prescribed mental health medications and diet issues.

The Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain service treatment records, verify alleged stressors, and provide a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal must be remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing, as he did not attend the previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to herbicides during the applicable presumptive period in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease is denied as there is no evidence of such condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since May 23, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For ischemic heart disease with CABG prior to June 24, 2014, the Veteran's disability was rated at 10 percent. The Board determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is still under consideration.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis, which the VA and private medical opinions suggest were related to his service-connected lung cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that these conditions contributed substantially or materially to cause the Veteran's death.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current eye disorders had their onset in service or were otherwise related to his military service, including exposure to cleaning solutions and radar screens. The claim for right eye closing vein was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure, based on the Veteran's presumed exposure during his active duty in Vietnam. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures in Thailand and Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was denied. His claims for increased evaluations of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and seborrheic keratosis are pending.