Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities from July 16, 2002 is denied. The RO must schedule VA examinations to evaluate these conditions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and PTSD are granted as service-connected due to exposure during his Vietnam-era service. The asthma claim is remanded for further examination.

The veteran seeks an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is being remanded to schedule the veteran for a VA examination and provide additional notice.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection is established for an acquired nervous disorder, heart condition, Type II adult onset diabetes mellitus, and a skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure. Claims for pancreatitis, low back pain, knee pains, and erectile dysfunction were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for residuals of an injury to the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and diabetes mellitus. The veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for each of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, the highest rating available under the criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus and diverticulitis is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection based on herbicide exposure or any other theory.,The veteran's service-connected ulcer disability has not been shown to have caused his current diverticulitis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cerebrovascular accident, claimed as stroke, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying service exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's claims for Crohn's Disease, diabetes mellitus (including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and depression are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, Type II, both secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service, and concluded that they were not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus and found that his hypertension was not related to service-connected diabetes. The hypertension claim was also denied as new evidence did not reopen it.

The Board found that the veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus did not originate in service or within one year of service, and is not otherwise causally related to his military service, including alleged exposure to Agent Orange or other chemical agents. Therefore, service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange, finding insufficient evidence of exposure and no link between his condition and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such benefits prior to November 3, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected type I diabetes, which requires use of an insulin pump and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for enlarged heart with high blood pressure, stomach disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.