Diabetes decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, to include retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities. The disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated medical examinations and compliance with notification provisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and hypertension are not supported by evidence of a nexus to service or any presumptive conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service and whether he is entitled to the presumption of exposure. The specific claim for diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure is deferred pending a final decision in Haas v. Nicholson.

The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable that the veteran's service-connected disabilities caused individual unemployability prior to November 19, 2002. Therefore, an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been denied. The effective dates are not specified.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, requires a restricted diet, insulin, and regulation of activities. The Board has assigned a 40 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's glaucoma did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to his service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for glaucoma is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, as he was granted a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Type II diabetes mellitus with complications including diabetic peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure, and asbestos-related respiratory disease. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including metastatic duodenal tumor and Cushing's syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The veteran's bilateral heel spurs and diabetes mellitus are currently rated at the lowest available levels, with no evidence of more severe disability warranting higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and audiometric evaluations. The issues of service connection for diabetes, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral eye disorder are still pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, osteomyelitis, and pes planus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.