Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for paralysis of the right ulnar nerve, diabetes mellitus type II, and scars on his face, arms, and legs have been denied. The highest schedular rating available for each condition has not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy due to inextricably intertwined issues, including entitlement to SMC benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has continued working full-time despite his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, automobile or adaptive equipment grants, or special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to use both upper extremities effectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cold weather injuries to the lower and upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to potential exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the etiology of his knee conditions, hearing loss, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, skin condition, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity are remanded due to unclear etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied in April 2006, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. Service connection for diabetes with a 20% disability rating is granted effective August 22, 2014.,Service connection for onychomycosis remains denied as there is no more than topical therapy required over the past year.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure, specifically because it is unclear whether the Veteran's service aboard the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard was within 12 nautical miles of the landmass of Vietnam.

The Board has decided that service connection for diabetes is granted, but the cases of sleep apnea and left hip strain are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and frequent urination due to a lack of clarity in the medical records regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on his belief that both conditions began during or were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, including as secondary to PTSD and/or due to Southwest Asia service, is denied. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conversion reaction manifested by headaches is granted a 50% rating from May 23, 2016. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability, headaches, and left shoulder disability are all denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and liver cancer due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been reopened, but the case is still pending as it needs to be determined if the USS Hull was within 12 nautical miles offshore the Republic of Vietnam during August 1973.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer, all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in the waters of Vietnam.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, as it was not clear if the Veteran was exposed during his time in Korea.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as presumptively related to his service in the territorial waters of Vietnam, where he was exposed to herbicides.