Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective November 5, 2008. The initial disability rating for diabetic nephropathy was increased to 60 percent in February 2007.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the evaluation for diabetes mellitus, a compensable evaluation from November 17, 2005 to November 16, 2007, and TDIU from November 17, 2005 to August 23, 2011 are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran died in February [REDACTED], 2015 from Alzheimer's disease with underlying causes of hypertension and diabetes.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, or diabetes were present in service or within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including for purposes of receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).,As a result, the appeal concerning entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied because no timely notice of disagreement was filed within one year following the June 2013 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of diabetic retinopathy or kidney disorder associated with his diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, or hypertension. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (COPD), hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, right leg disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and/or insufficient evidence to establish a link between them and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and verify service exposure. The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes, a psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and a headache are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both associated with herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), based on the presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's type II diabetes is presumed to have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange in service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar back strain and prostatitis claims have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for the lumbar back strain, but not for DMII or prostatitis as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, which is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been remanded due to the need for further opinion regarding whether the erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by the diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his combined disability rating is at least 40% and he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's proximity to military bases and herbicide exposure, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The heart condition issue remains pending as no new and material evidence was presented.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure while stationed at Ramasun Army Station in Thailand.

The Board has reopened the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.