Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. These conditions are secondary to the appellant's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The VA medical opinions provided conflicting dates of onset for the appellant's diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but both agreed that the appellant's diabetes caused his diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension was rated at 20 percent effective October 7, 2011. The appeal is denied for higher ratings before that date.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the right ear hearing loss issue. The remaining claims were denied as there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II as the evidence does not show a direct in-service incurrence or exposure to herbicide agents.,Both conditions are currently diagnosed but there is no credible evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining opinions on the etiology of his dementia and TBI.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, but he is now rated at 30 percent for dermatitis. The decision also notes that the Veteran has other service-connected disabilities including peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The claims are now granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cause of death, pancreatic cancer, was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the diabetes did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death and that the pancreatic cancer is not otherwise causally related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about VA's compliance with its duty to assist and consideration of theories related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is asked to provide his complete military personnel records, including those related to potential sea water and ship-based herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic hearing loss disability during or following service, and that his diabetes with retinopathy warranted only a 20 percent rating. The hypertension claim was not addressed as it was remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is not related to his military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service. The claims for PTSD, heart condition, hypertension, and DM are denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2010. A TDIU is granted effective as of that date.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemicals linked to the condition and that symptoms of diabetes were not chronic in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, and eye disorder are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions from previous VA examinations. The Board requires new examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II contributed to his death from metastatic colon cancer. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.