Diabetes decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on his housebound status.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, facial scars, and headaches. The combined evaluation of these conditions is at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary with regard to the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO should obtain all relevant medical records and request an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the veteran's coronary artery disease and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type 1 diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to be of service onset. The claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of Asiatic flu and diabetes mellitus, but granted service connection for the veteran's current disability. The claims for CTS, additional disability from sinus surgery, and arthritis were all denied.

The veteran's appeal is currently on hold due to a stay imposed by the Secretary of VA. The issues related to service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, bilateral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral vision problems, loss of a right foot toe, and bilateral ulcers of the feet are subject to this stay. Hypertension remains an issue that will be addressed once the stay is lifted.

The VA determined that the veteran's diabetes did not improve and thus denied reducing his disability rating from 60 percent to 40 percent.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure in Korea, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II, lupus erythematosus, and hypertension. The evidence does not establish that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's initial claim for diabetes mellitus was granted, and a 10% rating was assigned effective November 13, 2003. The RO increased the rating to 20% from November 1, 2004.,PTSD with secondary panic disorder was initially rated at 50%, effective October 31, 2004. The veteran's PTSD rating has been increased to 70% from that date.

The veteran's cause of death was due to cardiorespiratory arrest, pneumonia, and other conditions not related to his military service. The Board denied the claim for nonservice-connected death pension as he did not have wartime service or entitlement to compensation for a service-connected disability.

The veteran seeks a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the right ankle and diabetes mellitus with retinopathy. The case is being remanded for further examination and adjudication.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, fatigue, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, a joint disability, and nerve damage. The veteran does not have current diagnoses or competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and to reopen his claims, except for prostate cancer which was granted based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The issue of service connection for cirrhosis of the liver due to exposure to herbicides or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, high frequency hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and residuals of prostate cancer. The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, left shoulder, and right knee were not found to be related to his active duty service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus Type II, with mild peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The current rating adequately compensates for his condition.