Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes, sleep apnea, and amputation of the left index finger were all incurred during his active military service. Therefore, he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no competent or credible evidence of exposure to herbicides during his service in Okinawa, Japan. The diseases are not shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's death was due to ischemic heart disease complicated by diabetes mellitus type II. The appellant submitted a claim for accrued benefits, but the Board found that there were no claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death and thus no accrued benefits were due.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and that the disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the disease did not manifest within a year after separation. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30% but meet criteria for a 50% rating due to very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for type II diabetes mellitus from January 13, 2010 is granted and set at 20 percent. The claims for service connection for necrobiosis of the feet, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed as he has withdrawn his request for a hearing and indicated satisfaction with the current combined rating of 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional evidence, as well as inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to May 13, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The Veteran's high cholesterol was not found to be a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM and ischemic heart disease, including CAD, due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB and thus is presumed to have been exposed. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The July 2016 VHA opinion concluded that the Veteran's cardiovascular problems were not related to his military service and that his chronic anxiety disorder was less likely than not a contributory cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues of service connection and effective dates, as well as a sleep apnea examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for more current VA examinations of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, diabetes mellitus and adenocarcinoma of the prostate with impotence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, updated treatment records, and further development of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within a year of separation, and is not attributable to service. The Board also found that his current vision disability was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 26, 2010. Additionally, the combination of his service-connected disabilities (including PTSD) has resulted in a combined schedular rating of 70 percent effective February 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service and finds that he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension may be related to his active duty service, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions were present within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and erectile dysfunction, have been granted. He is also granted SMC at the housebound rate.,Initial ratings of 20 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted.