Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitates a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of his disability rating for ischemic heart disease was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death, tinnitus, heart attack (CAD), erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral leg condition. The Veteran's cardiovascular issues were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by a stroke, which the VA doctor opined was due to his service-connected type II diabetes with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and medication for ischemic heart disease. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, there is no evidence in the file at the date of death that would have supported a claim for accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disorders. The only condition found by the Board with a possible link to service is dementia, but this was many years after service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II has been manifested by insulin dependence and a restricted diet but not requiring regulation of activities. The current combined disability rating does not exceed the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension, were denied as they are not attributable to his time at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities and did not have a direct relationship to her military service. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of bilateral diabetic retinopathy, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran seeks compensation for hypertension, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to inadequate examination and the need for an opinion on whether hypertension is caused or aggravated by diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that an extraschedular TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, eye conditions, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and PTSD. Diabetes mellitus is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Prostate cancer is also presumed as it is linked to the same exposure. PTSD is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,High blood sugar is not a separate condition but rather a symptom of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the left hand, right hand, and lower extremities have been rated based on their severity.,Effective August 27, 2013, the Veteran is now eligible for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been granted, with a rating of 30 percent for the latter condition.