Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (vasectomy), Hepatitis C and a liver disorder, thigh scarring as secondary to Hepatitis C, scars from injections associated with Hepatitis C, headaches including migraines, and a cognitive disorder to include Alzheimer's disease. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and thus his claim for this condition is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, mature cataract, and diabetes mellitus, type 2. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence of a link between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is denied because his vision loss, which requires regular assistance from a caregiver, is not related to any service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran's functional restrictions are due to his non-service connected blindness.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and seizures, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service. The Veteran's disabilities were deemed insufficient to meet the criteria for non-service connected pension due to his ability to work.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes, hypertension, or coronary artery disease had their onset in service.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction has been granted. The Board has also remanded the cases of a disability manifested by visual impairment other than diabetic retinopathy and a heart disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient records showing the Veteran's claimed in-country flights. The case will be returned to review these additional records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs further clarification on whether diabetes mellitus is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right big toe, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, depression, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. Service connection is also granted for associated lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and amputation of the right lower leg have resulted in eligibility for specially adapted housing. The appeal concerning a special home adaptation grant is moot due to the award of specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his erectile dysfunction does not warrant a separate rating as there is no evidence of penile deformity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support the claim of service connection, but found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left eye vision loss due to a VA surgical procedure in August 2004, as there are questions regarding whether the Veteran's significant left eye vision loss was caused or worsened by VA clinical staff's failure to advise him to stop taking Plavix and aspirin prior to and after the surgery.

The Veteran's cause of death is not related to any service-connected conditions, and the appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout and hypertension due to toxic herbicide exposure. The VA examiners did not provide sufficient explanations or address all of the questions posed in the previous remands.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decisions were made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran served on the USS SHANGRI-LA in Vietnam, but there is uncertainty about whether he flew into DaNang Harbor.