Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, had its onset during his military service and is related to it. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.

Service connection for dermatitis, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral knee arthritis is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral neuropathic arthropathy of the feet secondary to service-connected diabetes is granted.

The Board denied service connection for heart problems, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and kidney problems due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of service in Vietnam or confirmed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and COPD were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Chronic high blood pressure was also not found to be service-connected as no VA examiner provided an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied in the August 2004 rating decision. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome/osteoarthritis of the left hand and right hand was also denied in the August 2004 rating decision, as the VA examiner opined these conditions were not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to lack of a VA examination. The Veteran's representative stated that he missed an October 2019 VA examination because he did not have transportation. A new examination is needed before these claims can be decided. Additionally, the Board noted that the resolution of the diabetes mellitus claim may affect the special monthly compensation claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus has been granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent for diabetes mellitus. The decision also includes a finding of aggravation during combat service.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Veteran's diabetes and related conditions are not found to be service-connected. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a low back disability, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, and bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's bilateral pseudophakia and right eye corneal scar are granted service connection.,Weight loss is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, posttraumatic stress disorder, and diabetic retinopathy were denied. The diabetes claim was remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records. The PTSD claim was dismissed as it was not withdrawn properly. The diabetic retinopathy claim resulted in a separate compensable rating.

The appeal to reopen service connection for diabetes mellitus based on the receipt of new and material evidence is denied. The appeal to reopen service connection for a left leg disability based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as the evidence did not support a finding that it had onset during or within one year after service and was not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's back injury, depression, anxiety and mood disorder (secondary to the back injury), headaches, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes are all granted as service connected. The lumbosacral radiculopathy and sleep disorder claims are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim, but has remanded his claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease and in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus due to lack of action on his notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, prediabetes, borderline diabetes, and impaired fasting glucose as well as gout. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right eye ptosis, left lower extremity sciatica, diabetes mellitus, sleep disorder, residual disability from craniotomy, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, heart block, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and premature ventricular contractions. The Board found that the original service connection decisions were clearly erroneous due to incorrect factual findings regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing eligibility as they do not result in a permanent and total disability due to loss or use of both lower extremities, blindness in both eyes with only light perception, or other enumerated conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.