Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disease, left ankle disability, neuropathy of the right foot, neuropathy of the left hand, neuropathy of the right hand, and neuropathy of the left foot are all denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, sinus disorder (including sinusitis), heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, eye disorder, skin disorder of the feet, upper extremities disorder (manifested by swelling, pain in joints, cramping, and tightness), bilateral or unilateral wrist disorder, disorder of bilateral or unilateral hands and fingers, and hearing loss are all granted as they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to determine the length of his physical presence at the Treasure Island, California, naval facility and to obtain a VA examination to assess whether any dental disability is related to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and concerns about VA's duty to assist in obtaining federal records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen it. The issue of peripheral neuropathy was intertwined with the diabetes mellitus issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and glaucoma were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claims for both conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of Hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been withdrawn. The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar II disorder and dysthymic disorders.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required insulin, regulation of activities, hospitalization or twice monthly visits to a diabetic care provider. The Veteran is therefore not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and a heart disorder due to toxic herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied for prostate disorder and tremor disorder (Parkinson's disease) as they are not related to active duty or toxic herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and bilateral diabetic retinopathy with macular edema is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. Additionally, the Veteran was denied TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and soft tissue sarcomas of the lung and right upper extremity/right shoulder are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy that are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's GERD, headaches, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, brittle nails, and syphilis are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to obtain his OPM disability retirement records and ensure all relevant employment information is considered.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence linking in-service dermatological issues to his later diagnosed hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in either eye, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and visual impairment related to diabetes are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of compensable symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is not related to his active service and does not have its onset therein. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection based on a service-connected disability.