Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and initial compensable evaluation for eye conditions has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disability, tumors on the left wrist and back, and tremors in her hands and wrists. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further development of evidence related to these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining hospital records from his in-service treatment and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran requested a hearing but withdrew it. The Board dismissed the appeal as he wished to withdraw the issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a February 2012 rating decision that continued a disability rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, but denied service connection for Alzheimer's disease (dementia) as it is not associated with active service or events therein.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board has determined that a separate compensable rating for the Veteran's cardiac disability is warranted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides, and the Veteran's claimed conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of all issues prior to the Board's decision.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy caused stage 3 chronic kidney disease, benign hypertension, and hypoglycemia; high creatinine levels; a peak BUN test level of 38mg% and peak creatinine test level of 1.9mg%; required use of insulin more than one time per day; daily record keeping of blood glucose readings, and medications and supplements; dietary restrictions; and exercise with activity restricted to walking on a flat surface and no activity on hot days.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent prior to June 16, 2017, and the diabetic nephropathy is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatic cancer as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for Addison's disease, diabetes, and nerve damage to the back and hips as these conditions are not found to be related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran is requesting an increase in special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person. The case has been remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, a new examination to determine his need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, and further development as needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not etiologically related to his active service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. As such, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II but denied the claim as there is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Guam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability was denied in March 1981 due to lack of evidence of a diagnosed condition. The Board found no new and material evidence since that decision.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus Type 2 is not granted as the preponderance of evidence does not support its onset or relationship to service, nor to any service-connected disability.,The Veteran's obesity claim was denied because it is a symptom rather than a separate disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain outstanding treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.