Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a vocational examination and re-adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Board has previously denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but the case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be adult respiratory distress syndrome, with diabetes mellitus type I and arteriosclerotic heart disease as contributing conditions. The VA examiner found no evidence suggesting a positive correlation between the Veteran's PTSD and his development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ARDS, or arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to his exposure to herbicides while serving at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Udorn, Thailand. The issue of service connection for GERD and chronic diarrhea remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have resulted in permanent loss of use of his lower extremities, requiring him to use a wheelchair for safe locomotion. The Board has granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, but a VA examination is needed to determine the combined effects of all his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to sever service connection for diabetes mellitus was not in accordance with the law and restored this disability from December 1, 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus does not grant service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not need a higher level of care without which he would require hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care. Therefore, SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(r)(2) is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and glaucoma. The case is being remanded to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records, including documentation of any transfers or temporary duty records related to his claimed Vietnam service.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer was granted, but his claim for diabetes mellitus type II associated with herbicide exposure was withdrawn. The initial rating for prostate cancer remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes requires insulin and restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities or complications. The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's diabetes requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to the lapse in time since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder (claimed as kidney cancer), and skin disorder are all found to be related to his service exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of CABG, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy, are sufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.