Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability (presumed to be atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmia), and hypertension were denied as service connection could not be established due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during service. The presumptive provisions for Agent Orange exposure did not apply.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful employment prior to September 16, 2015.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and a sleep disorder have been withdrawn. Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss, but established for tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for clarification of the August 2017 addendum and for an examination/addendum opinion regarding the severity of her service-connected bilateral cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute coronary syndrome, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were a contributory cause of his death. The VA examiner is asked to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is attributable to his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to TCE at Castle Air Force Base and thus has a connection between this exposure and his diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus type II, or cervical spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is manageable by restricted diet and has not required insulin or regulation of activities. A rating of 10 percent for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is found to be secondary to his service-connected lung cancer and liver cancer.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for hypertension due to exposure to environmental hazards, finding that new and material evidence was not received.,The Board also denied reopening the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a skin condition, both due to exposure to environmental hazards. The Veteran's testimony and medical opinions were considered but found to be cumulative.

The Veteran's skin rash and diabetes mellitus, type II claims are being remanded for additional development. The skin rash claim will be examined to determine if it is related to service, while the diabetes mellitus claim will be reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, right homonymous hemianopsia, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot neuropathy, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss as they were withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2017 Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disability are not related to service or to medication for his service-connected leishmaniasis. Therefore, service connection was denied.