Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or fault in furnishing hospital care. The Board found that the October 2012 examiner's opinion outweighed the lay evidence and denied DIC benefits.

The Board has decided that another VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate disorder, kidney disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests prior to a decision.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim has been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer residuals, diabetes mellitus, type II, and skin cancer are all granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the cause was not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to a service-connected disability. The Board noted conflicting medical opinions and found insufficient evidence to support the Appellant's claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 30 percent, and his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), on an extraschedular basis, prior to October 7, 2008, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

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

The appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of the accrued benefits claim and the need for further adjudication on both claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of pesticide or herbicide agent exposure and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a skin condition to include acne, and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of cardiovascular disorder and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is granted a 100 percent rating, and his service-connected diabetes mellitus with nephropathy remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and Type II diabetes have been granted. The claim for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is remanded due to the lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right legs and feet, and meralgia paresthetica have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) has been remanded.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected schizophrenia, but the Board has determined that additional medical opinion is needed to determine if his medication contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted service connection. The Veteran is also found to have been exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand during his service there. However, the issues regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a skin disability remain unresolved.