Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 11, 2002, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and awarded a 20 percent rating, effective October 1, 2004. However, the veteran seeks an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction was granted, but the effective date is set at March 11, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was solely due to liver disease and not related to diabetes. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities. He is currently rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings and earlier effective date for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating beyond 20 percent from April 11, 2001 to July 16, 2002 and 40 percent from July 17, 2002. An effective date earlier than April 11, 2001 was not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's schizophrenia cannot be dissociated from service, warranting a grant of service connection. However, there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year post-service, and thus it was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lightning strike to the left hand, including diabetes mellitus, an eye disorder, and a left hand disorder. However, the Board denied service connection as there is no medical evidence indicating that the veteran experienced any chronic residuals of a lightning strike while on active duty for training.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine, stomach, hemorrhoids, and hypertension conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The presumption of soundness does not apply as a pre-existing condition was noted at entry into service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for diabetic gastroparesis and bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The issue of severance of service connection for diabetic gastroparesis has been resolved.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalizations or visits to a diabetic care provider.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a compensable rating for chronic right epididymitis, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are not related to his active service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since July 9, 2001. The Board finds that a higher rating of 40 percent is not warranted prior to May 24, 2005 and warrants denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, and therefore a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as these conditions were previously severed due to the severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, and the case will be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. Therefore, the claim for an evaluation greater than 20 percent is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy as they are not related to his service-connected left thoracotomy.