Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected anatomical loss of the left foot together with residuals of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The criteria for specially adapted housing are met.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of regulated activities due to diabetes.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service and is presumed to have developed type 2 diabetes mellitus as a result.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for heart disability, skin disability, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 20, 2012, for the establishment of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The earliest possible effective date is November 20, 2012.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or accrued benefits. The appellant is also ineligible for death pension as of September 1, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and dental treatment records, as well as private medical records from Dr. A. Klein.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is denied because there is no evidence of an in-service event or diagnosis and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that diabetes mellitus manifested within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of a right hand disability and left hand disability secondary to lumbar spine disabilities.,A psychiatric disability claim has also been addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be adjudicated again based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to November 27, 2006 did not prevent him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at 20 percent. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.