Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for prostate cancer was also denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities secondary to residuals of left ankle sprain. The reasons were that there was no evidence showing these conditions were caused or worsened by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, lumbago claimed as a back disorder, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also denied an earlier effective date prior to July 3, 2000, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment services, specifically, lapidary equipment through independent living services was denied as the achievement of a vocational goal is not currently feasible.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic liver disorder and diabetes mellitus were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by her military service.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hypothyroidism, which she claims was caused by VA treatment in April 1998. The case has been remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the causation of her additional disabilities and their relationship to the treatment.

The Board finds that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent due to its current manifestations, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a bilateral leg condition, finding no evidence to support these claims based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's microalbuminuria, associated with his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, which requires insulin and a restricted diet. The current rating also considers regulation of activities as part of the disability picture.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash and diabetes mellitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a skin rash.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service stressors that are verified.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and for consideration of a new argument regarding aggravation by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore could not be presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicides was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including peptic ulcer disease, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, blisters and hives, upper and lower back problems, and breathing problems (COPD and sleep apnea), are not related to his active service or exposure to mustard gas. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for minimal background diabetic retinopathy of both eyes, finding that it is causally related to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.