Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's mesothelioma claim was denied as there is no current evidence of the condition.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not found to be related to service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities are denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for each lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, effective April 17, 2017. The right and left upper extremities were denied higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the April 2013 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not final due to incorrect address. The case is now remanded for further evaluation regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to severe limitations, including difficulty dressing, bathing, preparing food, moving about his house, attending to the wants of nature, and avoiding basic hazards around his home. The Board has granted entitlement to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation awards, finding that no formal claim was filed within one year of his initial intent to file. The earliest effective date assigned is May 4, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded claims for right ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of transient ischemic attack (stroke-TIA) and hypertension are being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the interrelated nature with other pending issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple myeloma, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he contends is secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that it required regulation of activities, which would warrant a higher rating. Service connection for foot arthritis and leg arthritis, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are currently rated as 70% disabling, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea. The Board finds that the Veteran’s symptoms likely had their onset during service.,Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus and right leg numbness as there is no evidence of these conditions in service records, and they are not related to service.,The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after his period of active duty service. The Board finds that the VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate due to a lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases of renal cancer, diabetes mellitus (DM), and lung cancer for additional development. The claims are also remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether these conditions were related to in-service exposure to chemicals.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of exposure to herbicides while serving aboard the USS Rupertus within 12 nautical miles of the coast of South Vietnam.

The Veteran's cause of death was denied prior to January 9, 2016 due to a final denial in May 2013. The appellant filed her petition to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death on January 9, 2017, more than one year after the effective date of the liberalizing law (Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001) that established presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Board assigned an effective date of January 9, 2016 based on VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss of use of any extremity, and he is not service connected for a severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an eye disability, or an inhalation injury. Therefore, the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation are not met.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was granted from December 12, 2008, and no earlier. The effective date is based on the VA examination showing that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of June 3, 2009. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiation exposure and mercury exposure. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the need for further examination.