Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Cripple Creek Rehabilitation Center from April 18, 2013 to April 25, 2013 and from April 29, 2013 to May 11, 2013 are now covered by VA as the services were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as he did not file a timely substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and prostate cancer, both claimed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service, are denied as there is no evidence of such exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate disability are found to be related to his active duty service, with exposure to hazardous commercial chemicals. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have in-country service in Vietnam or exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection on a direct basis either.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on Aid and Attendance/Housebound was dismissed. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on a total disability rating for a single disability and additional disabilities rated at 60 percent or more due to his combined service-connected disabilities not meeting the required percentage.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease based on such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and diabetes render him unable to maintain or obtain substantially gainful employment, which has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from end stage liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C. As a result, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has found service connection for diabetes mellitus type two and peripheral neuropathies of the right and left lower extremities. The case is REMANDED to determine if the Veteran suffers from ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, as well as a 40 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus with hypertension.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to active service on a presumptive basis, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no direct or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents during his active service and thus denying the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, migraines, diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any disease, injury, or exposure during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities. Therefore, the rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and colon cancer have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in a February 2017 communication.