Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating or additional service connection.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus is found to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bipolar disorder was denied, but he is now entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been granted. The Board also dismissed the issue of a higher rating for PTSD and remanded issues related to effective date and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of in-service or post-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic skin rash during service and his current tinea pedis does not appear to be related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis was denied as there is no evidence of in-service or post-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is less likely due to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and diabetes mellitus with bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are not entitled to higher ratings as the evidence does not support a finding of additional impairment or complications warranting higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and/or tinnitus.,The most probative evidence indicates that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service, but rather developed after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction and hypertension have been denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other confirmed Agent Orange exposure. The conditions were not diagnosed until many years after service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to her service, due to or aggravated by any service-connected disorder, and if medication taken for a service-connected disorder caused her diabetes. The case will be readjudicated following this.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, which was presumed to have been incurred during service, contributed to his death. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for Charcot of the left foot is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, and atrial fibrillation as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The reductions in disability ratings from 60 percent to 40 percent for lumbar spine DJD and from 60 percent to 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, were proper as they resulted in reduction of compensation payments.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension contributed to his death. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam or exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. Therefore, his claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease cannot be granted based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection for a left jaw disorder were denied as there is no evidence of any current disability resulting from VA treatment or military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected left knee, right hip, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and hypertension have all been dismissed.