Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for several conditions, including oral leukoplakia with squamous cell carcinoma and other respiratory issues. The decision is based on presumed exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and its secondary effects (impotence, heart disease, hypercholesterolemia) are also granted. The toe amputation claim is denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, effective April 2, 2001. The veteran's condition requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Board denied increased disability evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both feet, and hypertension are not supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted increased ratings, with the erectile dysfunction rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated in-service and could not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, pulmonary fibrosis, and cancer due to lack of evidence in the file at his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetic nephropathy warrants an initial 80 percent rating from February 6, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for lupus and a skin disorder of the chest, back, legs, and feet due to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection was also denied for an eye disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The veteran was presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange, which is linked to his diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is considered a contributory cause of the veteran's fatal pancreatic cancer.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service, despite the veteran's contention that they were caused by herbicide exposure. The Board found no positive association between herbicide exposure and any other condition.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 12, 2002 for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The decision stated that there was no pending claim prior to November 12, 2003, and thus the earliest legal basis for granting service connection is one year prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if personnel from the veteran's unit were supplied to support units of the 2nd or 7th Infantry Divisions that were exposed to herbicides in Korea during June and July 1969. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for re-adjudication.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction does not warrant a higher initial disability evaluation, as it only requires insulin and restricted diet without requiring regulation of activities.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent. He contends that his symptoms are worse and requests a higher rating.

The Board determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran claims service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, which he asserts is due to herbicide exposure. The case has been remanded as there is no evidence of Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam or Korea and the VA does not have records of any pesticides used by the veteran during his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.