Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right leg condition, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus are all granted service connection. The right leg condition is related to in-service cramps, hypertension did not manifest within the presumptive period, and type II diabetes mellitus was diagnosed after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the issue of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to December 6, 2016 due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's surviving spouse's claims for Aid and Attendance benefits and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of evidence demonstrating that the appellant requires aid and attendance or meets other eligibility requirements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for non-service connected death pension and service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking any of his conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 1, 2016.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction are rated at 20 percent each. The Board found that the diabetes does not require regulation of activities or other complications, so a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus was also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connected, with the presumption of exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, left leg peripheral neuropathy, right leg peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for a skin rash is also remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the issue of whether the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand resulted in his current condition remains unresolved as a remand is required to verify this exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence indicating that his acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD is related to his service. The new medical evidence of record does not show a link between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded. The Board finds that the Veteran has been exposed to herbicides in Vietnam and his DM may be related to this exposure. However, there is no evidence of onset during or within one year after service. A VA examination is needed to determine if DM is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including a pulmonary condition secondary to a cardiac condition. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), due to exposure to herbicide agents and for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to DMII.