Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected disability of type 2 diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, gastroparesis, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at 90 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions prevent the Veteran from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and Type II diabetes mellitus secondary to his service-connected kidney disease. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease. The claims include requests for increased ratings and restoration of a higher rating for prostate cancer, as well as TDIU due to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's service personnel records and identifying specific locations of operations of his ships while in Vietnam. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded due to the need for further evidence regarding his alleged Vietnam-era exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, contributed substantially to his death due to acute myocardial infarction. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded as the evidence does not clearly indicate a current diagnosis of this condition. The Board finds that an examination is required to determine whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/VAU medical records. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, including his exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's hypertension did not manifest itself within one year of service and it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active military service, nor are they related to any incident or incidents of his service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 12, 2002 for diabetes mellitus was granted. The earliest possible effective date is December 12, 2003.,The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 8, 2003.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no new and material evidence. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or chloracne, nor is diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), skin disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, both linked to Agent Orange exposure, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. The claims for neurodermatitis, heart disability, erectile dysfunction, respiratory disability, prostate disability, acquired psychiatric disability, cognitive disability, and shrapnel wound to the neck are being remanded.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to March 24, 2003, for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing that any unresolved claims were pending before this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and urinary frequency are all service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Thailand.