Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides and the claim was not reopened as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating, and the issues of TDIU and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes, which was service-connected in April 2014 and rated at 20 percent from August 29, 2001 to March 15, 2003, and at 20 percent from February 3, 2004, does not require regulation of activities as part of medical management. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's activities required regulation by a medical professional.

The Veteran's gout is service-connected, but his vitamin B12 deficiency and diabetes mellitus type II are not.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, nocturia, kidney failure, nephrolithiasis, stomach and colon polyps with wedge resection, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and anemia is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral hip disability, and left knee disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity disabilities and several other conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing as he meets the criteria for loss or use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and diabetes mellitus were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied, as the symptoms described did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which meet the threshold schedular requirement for a TDIU under VA regulations. The question is whether these service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's candida albicans and diabetes mellitus, type II are currently rated at the minimum levels. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board found that the disabilities did not manifest within a presumptive period and were not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which was linked to exposure to herbicides, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claims for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary atherosclerosis of native coronary vessel (claimed as heart), and residuals of stroke is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral metatarsalgia feet disability, also claimed as bilateral pes planus and flat feet remains denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, terminal malignant neoplasm of the pancreas, was found to be caused by his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus, which is presumptively associated with Agent Orange exposure. The Board granted DIC benefits for the Veteran's widow.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, COPD, asthma condition, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is related to service or secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, pulmonary embolus (PE), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his military service and the condition.