Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, contributed substantially or materially to his death. The VA opinions found no causal link between the Veteran's diabetes and death, nor did they find any connection between his presumed Agent Orange exposure and his cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and lower extremity neuropathies have not rendered him unemployable. The Board finds that his disabilities alone do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II. The case is therefore REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and heart condition were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found no competent evidence or opinion suggesting a medical relationship between these disabilities and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia contributed substantially in causing his death due to uncontrolled diabetes, which was a result of the Veteran's non-compliance with insulin medication. The Board finds that the Veteran's schizophrenia led to his insulin non-compliance and thus combined to cause death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, was granted. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to February 1, 2013 and from February 1, 2013 until November 2, 2015, and a TDIU claim since January 1, 2016 were also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds that his employment as an administrator at an unemployment office is substantially gainful.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension to obtain an addendum opinion that addresses whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disorder. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes is not service-connected due to lack of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after discharge. The claims for fatigue, memory loss, and lethargy have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, parathyroid disorder, pituitary adenomas (tumor), restless and shaky leg syndrome, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 7, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, and service connection for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected heart disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus, DM2, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. His DM2 has also been granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is reopened.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are granted service connection as secondary to his PTSD and hypertension respectively. The ratings for the bilateral knee disabilities remain unchanged.