Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected conditions and his death. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher schedular rating than that assigned.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, lesion on back, polyps of the nose, and rib cage mesothelioma. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication. The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he claims is related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes was denied as the evidence did not show that the diabetes required regulation of activities in order to control blood sugar levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral upper extremity orthopedic disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lung disorders (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and emphysema), and posttraumatic stress disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or related to active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and Parkinson's disease are not shown to be related to his military service. The Board has determined that he was not exposed to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left foot skin disorder claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating prior to August 29, 2007. The Board has also granted TDIU for the period prior to August 29, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 C.F.R. � 3.324 is denied as he is in receipt of a 10 percent rating for tinnitus from April 18, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and chronic sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are met.

The Board finds that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death due to accidental ingestion of hydrocodone, and thus denies the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's diabetes type II is not related to his military service. The Board finds that VA examinations are needed for the left shoulder, left foot, and back disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The hearing loss claim has been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disability and diabetes mellitus type II were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for coronary artery bypass graft and diabetes mellitus type II, indicating satisfaction with the current rating decisions.