Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The RO continued the 20 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his diabetes mellitus, Type II, as it is currently controlled by insulin and diet.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for housebound status benefits is moot as the aid and attendance rate is greater. Specially adapted housing and home adaptation grant claims are denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension for aid and attendance and housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an aid and attendance examination.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus Type II was initially rated at 10 percent effective October 30, 2003.,Effective June 28, 2006, the disability rating increased to 20 percent.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the causes of his death (pneumonia, COPD, and diabetes mellitus) were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements under the law.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 90%, but the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 31, 2003, for service connection of diabetes mellitus was denied as her initial claim was received more than one year after separation from active duty.

The Board is requesting additional information to determine if the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Korea, which could affect his claims for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and meralgia paresthetica of the left thigh were denied, as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was also denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for hypertension, depression, headaches as secondary to hypertension, panic attacks as secondary to hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II (DMII).

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

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied. The effective date remains September 16, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 16, 2001 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before the Cleveland VARO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or direct causation.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to metastatic cholangiocarcinoma and diabetes mellitus. The evidence received since the April 2000 RO decision includes VA outpatient treatment records, private medical treatment records, a letter from Dr. Cassidy, and a March 2006 VA medical opinion. This new evidence relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (the relationship between Agent Orange exposure and the development of these conditions).

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.