Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gout arthritis of shoulders, hip, hands, and knees, and right foot bone growth. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran qualifies for the Gulf War presumption and to obtain a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or necessary adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board has ordered further development for the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back condition, diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide exposure, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The claim for service connection for a low back condition remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as a result of herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand. The Veteran's testimony and DD 214 indicate he was near the perimeter fence while stationed at NKP Royal Thai Air Base, which used herbicides/Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also determined that the bilateral knee disabilities, depression, and diabetes mellitus do not cause or aggravate the erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand. The Board found the Veteran was exposed to herbicides and thus grants service connection for diabetes.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for esophageal cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The cause of death was listed as esophageal cancer, but the Board found that it did not result from military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board is unable to locate the death certificate and requires additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death. The appellant seeks service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, which includes in-service migraine headaches, diabetes, hypertension, hysterectomy, and metastatic brain tumor.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of regulation of activities required by Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his claimed visits to Vietnam and related articles. The Board will seek copies of his articles from 'Stars and Stripes' and submit them for review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, chronic stress disorder, diabetes, and left shoulder disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The cases for prostate hypertrophy, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, and tension headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes mellitus with hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and migraine headaches has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability with arthritis has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have confirmed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

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

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease was denied as the evidence did not show any additional disability warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, as well as his claim for TDIU due to these conditions. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.