Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes, prostate cancer, and hypertension are not related to his active service. The claims for increased ratings of left knee disabilities and entitlement to a TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes are granted based on exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hypertension and service connection for diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertension or service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination with an endocrinologist to determine if the Veteran has type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 12, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including for hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus, and a respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The Veteran was not granted any new disability ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death from congestive heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's active service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on the Veteran's diabetes treatment and its impact, as well as additional medical records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathy have rendered him unable to work since May 31, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the required development for verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service in Korea has not been completed. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder is not related to his active service.,There is insufficient competent and credible evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus and his active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, but his diabetic nephropathy does not warrant a separate compensable rating.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II or hypertension (HTN) as related to the Veteran's active service. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition in service and that his current conditions are more likely due to post-service factors.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II. The remand also includes requests for records from private providers.