Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeals were denied for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease prior to May 12, 2011, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 30, 2014.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, which are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and diabetes mellitus, finding that both conditions are at least as likely related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer. The evidence is sufficient to establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and PTSD are service connected due to exposure in Vietnam. The psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence received since the April 2003 decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to incomplete examination report. Additional evidence may be needed from private or VA treatment providers.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus II was granted in February 2010 with an effective date of October 14, 2009. The Board found that the effective date should be set at October 14, 2008, but no earlier due to the liberalizing change in law adding DM to the list of presumptive diseases caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to confirm if the Veteran's service on the U.S.S. Arlington exposed him to herbicide agents, which may be relevant to his claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and related conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The claim is being remanded because the VA did not verify his alleged exposure to herbicides in Korea and there was no request made to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature, cause, and effect of any mental health disorder the Veteran may have had at the time of his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest until many years after service and is not related to an incident or event of service origin. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence reflects the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have onset in service and is not related to any incident of service origin.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type 2 was not warranted and denied it. The September 1971 rating decision did not consider a prior informal claim due to lack of evidence indicating intent to apply for VA disability benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and coronary artery disease have been granted due to herbicide agent exposure during his period of service in Thailand.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder has also been reopened, but the Board is unable to determine if he has manifested any specific skin condition.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,His current rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20% due to the absence of a regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in physical or mental incapacity that prevents him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. Further, the Veteran is not in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating or in receipt of a total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to DM II due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support presumptive service connection.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim was also denied on the basis that there is insufficient direct evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and Charcot disease. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.