Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of diabetes, type II and the veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, types I and II are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are not service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The duodenal ulcer disease claim is granted with restoration of a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ulcerative colitis, status-post colectomy and ileostomy does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure. The claims for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are pending and require further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and determine if hypertension and depression are secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent rating, and his initial hearing loss disability is not compensable.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The veteran withdrew his appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus (type II) due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis of the liver were denied as they are not shown to be related to service. The claim for increased evaluation for residuals of a low back injury was also denied, but only prior to September 26, 2003. The claim for compensable evaluation for calluses of the feet was denied and the TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's periods of active service, ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining the necessary medical records.

The Board denied an increased initial rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the need for insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence does not warrant higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, sinusitis, and residuals of a nose injury due to lack of current disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as his initial claim was received more than one year after the effective date of the regulation authorizing presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to disability compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his right hand injury, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or VA care.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus and its complications including peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy. The evidence does not support a finding of service origin or continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, standing alone, does not require regulation of activities and therefore does not warrant a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction, an effective date prior to January 12, 2001 for service connection of erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance during the period from May 1, 1996, to October 1, 1997 are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and counseling records from Turkey. The veteran's claim for major depressive disorder is being considered as new and material evidence was sought in relation to his diabetes mellitus claim.