Diabetes decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, visual complications of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of fractured ribs, and aneurysm of the chin with blood clots. The Board found that these conditions were not related to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied as there was no evidence of their onset during active duty or within one year after separation, and the Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his right shoulder disability and service connection for diabetes. The right shoulder disability was rated as noncompensable, while diabetes was not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes insipidus is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise a May 2003 decision that disallowed an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and determined that it was incurred in service. The heart disease is found to be proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, headaches, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran did not have a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The veteran's other claims of increased evaluations and separate evaluation for diabetic retinopathy are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and a chronic acquired disorder manifested by dizziness, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The case must be remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet but not hospitalization for ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions, did not warrant a rating greater than 40 percent from April 22, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicides including Agent Orange and for a back disability on direct basis. The claims were not reopened.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the current treatment (insulin and restricted diet) does not require regulation of activities.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, associated with herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), is currently rated at 40 percent. The appeal does not involve a new evidence claim or service connection for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as well as his claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction. The decision also addressed a claim for diabetic retinopathy but did not issue a SOC.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and could not be presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and lung disability including asthma and allergy, all presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. The right great toe injury claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there was no evidence he served in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed exposed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The RO continued a 20 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus and granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy with noncompensable ratings.