Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, a heart disorder, prostate cancer, hypertension, hypothyroidism (claimed as obesity), and cataracts due to lack of in-service herbicide agent exposure and failure to establish a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a lower back condition and diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as the claims for nerve conditions of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, were denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and service connection determinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, diabetic complications (particularly peripheral neuropathy), and shoulder conditions, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since June 12, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100 percent combined, and the Board finds that these conditions reasonably preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected diabetes is denied, and the case for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's initial diabetes rating for type II diabetes mellitus is denied. The case of bilateral cataracts and retinitis is remanded due to a proposed reduction in the combined rating, and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma due to new evidence submitted after the last decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a walk-in tub under the HISA program due to lack of medical necessity. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's pancreatitis is rated at 60 percent prior to June 6, 2017. The Board found that the evidence most nearly approximated a frequent attack of abdominal pain and loss of normal body weight, warranting a 60 percent rating. A higher rating in excess of 60 percent was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, with onychomycosis and erectile dysfunction as well as his TDIU claim due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PVD is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents. Compensation for PVD under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied, and the Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the denial. The Board finds that a medical opinion should be obtained to determine if the prescribed medication used to treat his service-connected disability causes irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg, right elbow fracture, gout, COPD, heart disorder (including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for left leg peripheral vascular disease status-post femoral bypass surgery is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is denied as he is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation and his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's SMC for loss of use of a creative organ is granted effective October 24, 2005. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for cataracts and various rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran has a separate upper back condition related to service, as well as whether he has diabetes mellitus type II or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) that is related to his active service.