Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's permanent and total service-connected disability due to the loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without a cane, meets the criteria for specially adapted housing. However, he does not qualify for a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to additional development being required. The regional office (RO) needs to update the Veteran’s address and consider new evidence including VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and an April 2017 VA diabetes examination report.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to muscle weakness, vertigo, stomach condition, brittle nails, dental problems, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, impotence, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, coronary artery disease, nephropathy with hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, are sufficient to qualify for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as of June 17, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a final decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not support a link to active service or Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service. The claim of service connection for meningioma is REMANDED due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as they were caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and securing updated VA treatment records. The AOJ will also obtain SSA records and determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to his active service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes and coronary artery disease are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, resulting in a denial.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to new evidence received since the last decision and issues related to service connection are still pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam. The condition has been manifested to a degree of at least 10% and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus type II and left eye sixth nerve palsy, bilateral cataracts, and bilateral hypertensive retinopathy.,The remaining issues of service connection for right ankle disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, did not have its onset in service or within the initial post separation year and is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. Similarly, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown to have had its onset in service or within the initial post separation year, nor is it related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.