Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board found that the Veteran's daughter’s Social Security income was not reasonably available to or for his use, and thus should be excluded from the calculation of his own countable income. As a result, the November 2010 reduction in nonservice-connected pension benefits was not proper.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity (femoral nerve) was granted with a 20 percent rating effective from April 10, 2018. The Veteran also received TDIU benefits from October 16, 2015 to March 12, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for malignant neoplasms of bone, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure at Fort McClellan in Allison, Alabama. The Veteran's claim is pending as it relates to presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy have not resulted in visual impairment severe enough to warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 60 percent, effective July 14, 2016. The right lower extremity condition remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorder, diabetes mellitus type II (DM2), stroke residuals (brain hemorrhage), and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange or mustard gas during his active duty for training in California, and thus cannot establish presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether it is related to service-connected conditions or other factors.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, as well as his requests for increased ratings for thoracic spine disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and migraine headaches. The decision is based on the need for additional medical examination and review of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including exposure to chemicals like TCE, PCBs, and benzene, due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, residual surgical scars secondary to the condition, and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, CAD, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to the need for a medical examination.,It is noted that these conditions may be secondary to obesity, which resulted from the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Veteran's back condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral cataracts, peripheral vascular disease (left and right lower extremities), coronary artery disease post-CABG, left below-the-knee amputation, status post right 4th and 5th toe amputations with foot ulcers, recurring infections, psychiatric disorder, bleeding ulcers, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support herbicide exposure in Thailand or Vietnam, which is required for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and diabetes alone do not render him bedridden or so incapable of performing the activities of daily living that he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Veteran's bilateral total hip replacements for osteonecrosis, diabetes mellitus (DM), left and right hip osteoarthritis claims have been denied. The knee condition claim is pending due to insufficient evidence. Special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status are also pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was diagnosed after separation and is presumed to have been caused by his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unemployable. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death, congestive heart failure (CHF), and therefore grants service connection for cause of death.