Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and active service, including exposure to herbicides or parachute jumps. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is granted. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed due to the addition of new VA treatment records since the last SSOC was issued in April 2020.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted a 100 percent rating prior to February 3, 2015. The claim for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities is denied. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as he has not provided the required VA Form 21-8940, which assesses his employment and educational history. The RO must also send him a letter requesting information relevant to determining if he is unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of use of insulin or hospitalizations.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board remanded these issues as there are questions about their onset in service.,Service connection was established for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma).,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is not yet service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathies, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from August 12, 2015, to February 6, 2019. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The dyshidrotic eczema of both hands claim was also denied due to insufficient affected area or systemic therapy.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD due to lack of evidence showing in-service onset or relationship to service. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that both conditions were triggered by exposures to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The decision also found that the Veteran's MS was likely due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminants.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus II, hypertension, gout, and erectile dysfunction have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injury or disease.,No VA examination was required as there is no indication of an event, injury, or disease occurring in service, nor any chronic disease manifesting within one year after service discharge. The Veteran's STRs show normal clinical evaluations at service separation and the first documented findings for CAD, diabetes, hypertension, and gout occurred decades after service.,The Veteran's lay statements about exposure to herbicides are not credible as they do not provide details of when or where he was exposed, nor are they corroborated by his military personnel records. The Board does not find any evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes requires regulation of activities and if he suffers from any other diabetic complications.

The Veteran's left knee condition is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.,The Veteran's mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is service-connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Other vision conditions (ptosis and cataracts) are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and a complete work history.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective May 31, 2011 due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy preventing him from gaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's increased rating appeal for residuals of left great toe fracture is granted. The Board also grants service connection for the right foot condition as secondary to his service-connected left great toe disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disorders, specifically diabetic retinopathy and whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial disability ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.