Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including obtaining ship logs/histories and treatment records from his service vessels.

The Board found the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus granted severance.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for renal disease secondary to hypertension and an eye condition, also related to hypertension, are pending in the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, as his other conditions were not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits based on a pending claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether diabetes mellitus contributed to the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and hypertension, but reopened the claims based on new evidence. The veteran's conditions are presumed to have been incurred due to his service in the Gulf War.,The Board found no relationship between the veteran's migraine headaches, muscle spasms, inflammation of the substernum, nerve condition, and gastritis with his period of service or any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board found that a chronic disorder of the feet, conjunctivitis, diabetes, and right wrist ganglion were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, tinnitus, and diabetic retinopathy. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there was no indication that the veteran engaged in combat with an enemy during his military service.

The Board has restored the veteran's 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent. The RO reduced the evaluation from 40 to 20 percent based on the lack of evidence showing need for regulation of activities, insulin, and restricted diet.

The veteran's death was caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability (diabetes mellitus and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy). The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise, supporting the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, but granted increased ratings for peripheral neuritis of both lower extremities.,The veteran's peripheral neuropathy was found to be moderately severe in both legs.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, effective as of May 2007.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, Type II; headaches; diarrhea; lack of energy; muscle aches; urinary frequency (frequent urination); bone deterioration; and low back pain are denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The hearing loss claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has ordered remand to verify the appellant's service in Vietnam and to schedule a VA examination for hypertension. The claims will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, skin rashes, benign prostatic hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, and essential hypertension have all been denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct or presumptive link to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and additional VA examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's loss of use of his hands is due to service-connected disabilities, and thus he is entitled to special monthly compensation.