Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II is granted. The Board also remanded the cases of bilateral peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction to be evaluated as secondary to DM II.

The Veteran's left hand tremors are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right leg amputation below the knee as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and erectile dysfunction. The claim for special home adaptations is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 50 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) and diabetes mellitus type II are not service connected as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral shoulder conditions; right lower extremity nerve damage; and left lower extremity nerve damage.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction, renal glomerular disease, and gastroparesis is rated at 60 percent effective March 3, 2017.

The Veteran has current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, including arteriosclerotic heart disease. The claims are granted as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied service connection claims.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus service connection is granted on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's widow has withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be considered, including obtaining a VA examination and determining whether there is evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and his active service.

The Board determined that the reduction in disability rating for the Veteran's diabetes from 40% to 20% was not proper and restored the original 40% rating. The criteria for a higher rating for hypertension with renal failure prior to July 6, 2011, were not met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and other relevant documents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 3, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current type 2 diabetes mellitus is related to his in-service exposure to DDT, and thus service connection is granted.