Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and denied entitlement to a higher rate of Special Monthly Compensation based on loss of vision. The Board found that there was no evidence supporting the Veteran's contentions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus were not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and hypertension due to insufficient information regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to confirm or deny his alleged exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death due to right ventricular failure, and the Board grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful course of employment, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma (now diagnosed as ocular hypertension) and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric results did not warrant a compensable disability rating.,The Board remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus and skin cancer due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's exposure during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, chronic anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for low back disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, warranting a TDIU beginning on December 11, 2013. However, the claim is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted secondary service connection for cataracts to diabetes mellitus. The decision also found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is at least as likely as not the cause of his bilateral pseudophakia (cataract removal).

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ or near Freedom Bridge. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that he was exposed to herbicides due to his brothers having similar health issues.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type I and intracranial atherosclerosis as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.,Obstructive sleep apnea, Grave's disease, and bowel disability (diverticulosis and functional gastrointestinal disorder) are also not service connected due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The DM and TDIU claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims are granted beginning December 4, 2015. The VA has remanded the issues of increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and service connection for renal dysfunction.

The Veteran's cervical strain and DJD of the lumbar spine are not service-connected, as they are less likely than not caused by or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for right shoulder DJD is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for a right inguinal hernia is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service, and he was exposed at Eglin Air Force Base. His claim for service connection is granted.