Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to outstanding VA treatment records from prior years and a need for an examination.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer with residual incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not support a causal link to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, left eye cataract, and right eye cataract have been denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for diabetes mellitus type 2, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is granted. Service connection for prostate cancer, related to toxic chemical exposure during service at Fort Ord, is also granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a chronic disease during service. The claim cannot be granted on the basis of direct service connection due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type II, and generalized anxiety disorder with dysthymic disorder are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand. More information is needed to verify this exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically depression.,There were no claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death for accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the reduction of ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and related neuropathies was not proper, and the original ratings are restored. The case is remanded to determine if a TDIU rating should be granted.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and diabetes mellitus, type II on secondary basis due to the Veteran's tobacco use during service. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that additional development is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death, including cardiac arrest and renal failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicides as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea and the Veteran did not have diabetes during service or within one year following separation. Service connection could not be granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted at a 20 percent rating, but no greater. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to unclear in-service herbicide exposure. Additional development is needed including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition (coronary artery disease), and hypertension. The Veteran's tinnitus is linked to his in-service noise exposure. Diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include left knee, right knee, diabetes mellitus, left eye disability (including glaucoma), erectile dysfunction, bilateral kidney disability, and anemia.