Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent, effective October 7, 2020. The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her in need of aid and attendance, housebound, and eligible for specially adapted housing. The appeal regarding a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was a contributing factor to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gout, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 40 percent for type II diabetes mellitus starting from February 26, 2014. The condition requires regulation of activities due to work restrictions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded as the prior VA examination report relied on was flawed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide agent exposure during service. The Veteran reported multiple locations, but further research is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents at any of these locations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a head disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, heart disorder, DM, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is directed to obtain all relevant records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The hypertension claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the left hand, and neuropathy of the right hand have been denied. The VA has also remanded cases regarding a lower back disorder and neuralgia of the sciatic nerves in both legs.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance prior to May 8, 2019 is denied as the evidence does not show he was in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetic nephropathy with hypertension was denied. However, he was granted a TDIU and SMC at the 'housebound rate'.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to bowel obstruction, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities because the evidence did not establish that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him helpless enough to need regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension remains at 30 percent, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow disability and service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to inadequate examinations. The Board also found the VA opinions regarding these conditions to be insufficient.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were causally related to the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as the evidence did not show a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient efforts by VA in verifying his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.