Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dizziness or Meniere's disease, pituitary adenoma, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in service.,Service connection for these conditions was denied as there is no evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a psychiatric disability. The low back disability was also denied as not incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have type II diabetes mellitus that is attributable to his active military service. The claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and right knee medial meniscectomy are pending.

The veteran's skin disability and respiratory symptoms are service connected, but diabetes mellitus is not. The psychiatric disability claim remains pending.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not blind or nearly blind in both eyes, does not require regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, and lives independently.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease ratings, finding that no evidence was provided to support these claims.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, as the veteran's condition is manageable with a restricted diet and does not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his diabetes mellitus is inextricably intertwined with his claim for secondary service connection for hypertension. The claims must be remanded to determine whether the hypertension claim should be granted and, if so, whether it needs to be rated separately or as part of the underlying diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The veteran's diagnosed lumbar spine conditions, including spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease (osteoarthritis), are associated with his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The veteran's service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his current condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have diabetic neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities, as a result of his service or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the veteran's service in Vietnam, which is required for presumptive service connection under VA regulations. The veteran needs to provide evidence of his service in Vietnam or other relevant information.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy are denied as he did not meet the prerequisite criteria for presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with an effective date of June 28, 2001. The veteran's claim was received on that day and he is now entitled to a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's current diabetes mellitus is related to service, specifically during pregnancy in November 1985.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Type II diabetes mellitus, both presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he alleges is due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service aboard the USS Intrepid. The Board has ordered further development of evidence regarding this claim.