Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 40 percent since September 10, 2009. The combined rating for his service-connected disabilities prior to May 7, 2013 was 90%, meeting the criteria for a grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected asbestosis and determine its impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities; Meniere's disease; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, as both conditions were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, diabetes mellitus type II, toxic optic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left knee disability (chondromalacia) are both found to have originated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The issue of increased rating for bilateral pes planus is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected low back disorder does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, and he did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of either lower extremity. His request for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant was also denied.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent prior to April 26, 2016 and denied for a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple myeloma and diabetes mellitus, which are presumed to be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam. As a result, the Board finds that the Veteran's death is due to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, upper and lower extremity neuropathy, and prostate disability are all granted due to in-service herbicide exposure. Diabetes is presumed due to herbicide exposure. Upper and lower extremity neuropathies are found to be secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings did not meet the severity of his symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability, along with his educational attainment and occupational experience, precludes him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right foot numbness and a sleep disorder. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown to be related to his service, while the issue of service connection for right foot numbness is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.,Service connection for a disability manifested by right foot numbness remains pending as further examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated in service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of prostate cancer.,VA examinations have been conducted to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, hypertension, colon cancer, and arthritis of multiple joints. Further examination is needed to provide an adequate medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes, bilateral foot neuropathy, bilateral hand neuropathy, a disorder characterized by pain in the bilateral toes, feet, and right leg (likely referring to a disorder characterized by pain in the bilateral toes, feet, and right leg), PAD, chronic diarrhea, and frequent urination, are not service-connected as they were not diagnosed during or within one year after active service, do not have a direct link to service, and there is no evidence of aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection have also been denied.