Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The erectile dysfunction claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the other two issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating or for TDIU based on unemployability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The appeal of service connection for a heart disability and psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to provide proper notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5103 for service connection of pyleonephritis (urinary tract infection) secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are granted. Service connection is denied for a dental condition, rheumatoid arthritis, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and left foot amputation, result in loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board finds eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the December 2019 remand directives and has therefore ordered a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals, type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's right index finger amputation and below the right knee amputation are also granted as secondary to his type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to insufficient opinions regarding exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) during service. The Veteran's military occupational specialty was Ground Radar Superintendent, which may have exposed him to TCE.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left foot disabilities, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, heart disability, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by medical evidence or credible supporting statements.,No current diagnoses of these conditions have been established in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy does not result in permanent loss or use of one or both feet, so he is ineligible for financial assistance for an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as there is no evidence of permanent bedridden status or helplessness due to service-connected disability.

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy due to exposure to environmental contaminants at Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg, and Fort Lewis. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is not presumed as he did not serve in Vietnam or Korea.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension are granted service connection. The cerebral vascular accident (claimed as stroke) is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it does not have jurisdiction over this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is caused by his service-connected hypertension and sleep apnea, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as presumptively incurred due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam.