Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) is dismissed as he has been granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.,SMC benefits are granted, effective August 1, 2012, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to August 27, 2007, for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to service-connected PTSD is denied as he does not have other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to a service-connected heart disability, and service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy as due to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also eligible for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and TDIU. Specifically, there may be outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records related to his conditions.

The Veteran's skin cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are found to be related to service exposure. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents during service, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his diabetes mellitus Type II is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bladder cancer and kidney removal, have rendered him unemployable since May 1, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type two (DMII) is related to her in-service gestational diabetes and grants service connection for this condition.

The appeals for service connection and rating of the Veteran's conditions have been dismissed. A 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD from May 23, 2012, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened and granted. The appeal regarding severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, as well as the associated peripheral neuropathy claims were remanded due to conflicting medical evidence on whether the Veteran has diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened. His tension headaches are rated at 10 percent since July 24, 2020. The issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and prostate cancer remain remanded. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including erectile dysfunction, headache, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral foot disability, skeletal arthritis, depression, muscle damage to left side, pelvis injury, bilateral eye disability, low back disability, TBI, right hip and knee disabilities, GERD, and bilateral kidney disability. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records from 1988 to present and scheduling a new examination for the right hip.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions as the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations and TDIU. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling additional examinations, and reviewing all evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes and peripheral neuropathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has been employed full-time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy have been granted. Service connection for glaucoma has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosed kidney condition is related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and occupational background prior to April 16, 2019.