Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the functional loss of use of both lower extremities, such that locomotion is precluded without the aid of braces, cane, or wheelchair. Therefore, he is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which was claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and verify the Veteran’s presence in Vietnam.

The Veteran's CAD and diabetes mellitus are presumed to have been incurred in active service due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities is at least as likely as not caused by his diabetes mellitus, which is also presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.,High cholesterol claim was dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,An acquired psychiatric disorder claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's skin disorder has not required treatment during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of hands, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetic retinopathy. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I, is reopened and remanded. The claims for asthma, muscle and joint pains with spasms, chronic fatigue syndrome, cardiovascular disorder, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction is dismissed as he has withdrawn the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral neuropathy, secondary to herbicide exposure is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his service-connected cold weather injuries. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is being remanded, as well as the pending claim for cold weather injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip strain, dental condition, and diabetes mellitus. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Erectile Dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, finding that the diabetes was an etiological factor for the development of ED.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II is rated at 20 percent and denied for a higher rating. Initial disability ratings of 30% and 20% are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity respectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetic peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms warrant this rating and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities meeting the percentage requirements.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service at Korat RTAFB in Thailand. The other issues have been remanded.