Diabetes decisions — 2004

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires twice daily insulin injections and a restricted diet, warranting an initial rating of 60 percent from July 14, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and postoperative hemorrhoids with pruritus ani were denied as there is no evidence showing that his conditions require the higher rating levels.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has aggravated his post-service hypertension, and the benefit of doubt is applied in favor of the veteran. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to completion of its appellate review of the claims for initial disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as incurred in service. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial. The claims for residuals of low back injury, neck injury, bilateral leg disability, knee disability, and foot disabilities remain denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent initial rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and cataracts, which requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of multiple joints. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence attributing these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulated activities and thus, a higher initial rating is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during or immediately after service and no presumptive exposure to herbicides. The decision also noted that the veteran is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His service-connected conditions do not warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for his service-connected residuals of an arthrotomy of the left knee and denied his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he asserted was secondary to in-service exposure to herbicides. The Board found that there was no evidence of actual or presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining clinical documentation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's current conditions are related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus was denied. Further development is needed before the Board can make a decision on this issue.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder of the arms, and GERD, all claimed as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the current diagnoses were not related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or headache disability as claimed. The evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notification.