Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is granted a 60% disability rating effective August 7, 2019. The other conditions are not rated higher.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, attributing it to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune. The Board found no evidence of a direct link between his diabetes and his military service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, including for neuropathy of both feet, diabetes mellitus, and a left eye disability. The AOJ is required to conduct additional development to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam during his service onboard U.S.S. PICKAWAY.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for diabetes, and service connection for heart condition were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an increased rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and an eye disorder due to inadequate examination opinions regarding etiology and causation.,The Veteran's eye disorder claim remains pending, with the Board requesting additional examination opinions on the nature and etiology of his eye condition.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including OSA, HTN, right leg arterial insufficiency, ED, renal insufficiency, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral normal tension glaucoma, mild dry eyes, cataract of the right eye, and pseudophakia of the left eye, as secondary to service-connected diabetes. The issues concerning lumbar strain with sacroiliac pain and labyrinthitis with vestibular dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand at U-Tapao Air Base, and therefore, service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including CAD, and diabetes mellitus are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. High cholesterol is not a compensable condition. Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of heat stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities prior to July 13, 2015 was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For the period from July 13, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and major depressive disorder (MDD), due to inadequate rationale in the addendum opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, effective from the date of his death. The issue of entitlement to SMC on account of being housebound is considered moot due to the grant of the greater benefit.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, diabetes, neuropathy in bilateral upper and lower extremities, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea are all granted due to the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his Vietnam service. The Board found that these conditions were related to his Agent Orange exposure and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service, and to determine if he was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam. The cause of death is congestive heart failure, which may be related to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is found to have caused his coronary artery disease, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. The claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination in connection with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.