Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's diabetes will be evaluated to determine if it is related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders including arthritis and residuals of right knee replacement, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his service. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 60 percent, but finds that he is entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for his skin disability due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not etiologically related to his active military service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Veteran does not qualify for SMC in excess of the (n) rate due to lack of service-connected disabilities involving either upper extremity, lower extremities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, or loss of sphincter control. He is permanently bedridden and helpless as per his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance and at the housebound rate is denied as her need for aid and attendance is due to nonservice-connected disabilities, not service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was managed by restricted diet prior to October 23, 2014 and with insulin injections from that date onward. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence does not support a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus.,For erectile dysfunction, there is no compensable evaluation as the Veteran's loss of erectile power was not associated with any penile deformity.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not related to service and denies the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of the right hand due to service-connected conditions was denied as his disability does not meet the definition of 'loss of use' as defined by VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening a diabetes mellitus claim and service connection for various conditions secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete verification of the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam. The appeal is now pending again with the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish exposure to toxic herbicides or other hazardous chemicals during his active duty. The Board also found no medical nexus between the claimed conditions and service.