Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, diabetes, neuropathy in bilateral upper and lower extremities, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea are all granted due to the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his Vietnam service. The Board found that these conditions were related to his Agent Orange exposure and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service, and to determine if he was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam. The cause of death is congestive heart failure, which may be related to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is found to have caused his coronary artery disease, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. The claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination in connection with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been remanded.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as well as diabetic retinopathy, were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with other claims for increased ratings, and thus must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and clarification of when the Veteran first noticed symptoms of toenail fungus. The claims for an earlier effective date for diabetes, increased rating for hearing loss, and service connection for big toe disabilities remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various knee and foot disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and stroke. The Veteran is advised to cooperate with the scheduling of the requested examinations.

The Veteran's skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy are all granted. The skin condition is due to herbicide exposure. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent from July 18, 2011 through January 19, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Diabetes mellitus is rated at 10 percent prior to November 7, 2012, and 20 percent thereafter. The heart disability and anemia are secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's claims are now pending before the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, liver cirrhosis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and diabetes mellitus for service connection as well as the substitution claim due to incomplete notification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person prior to December 20, 2019.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for SMC (l) and automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment benefits, as he does not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, one hand and one foot. The decision was based on the current evidence showing no functional impairment requiring aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for diabetic nephropathy have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete opinion regarding whether the Veteran's legal blindness and eye conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus or pterygium of the left eye.