Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to May 8, 2001 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which requires insulin and a restricted diet. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam, and therefore service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for diabetic neuropathy and erectile dysfunction were denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is February 18, 2004.,The veteran was granted an effective date of December 6, 2004 for his claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, dizziness and fainting spells, pain in joints, leg cramps, anxiety and stress, and shortness of breath, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The decision is based on a finding that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection for obesity and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and assigned an initial 20 percent rating, effective from July 2001. The veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a claim for diabetes mellitus prior to May 8, 2001. As such, an effective date prior to this date cannot be granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective February 13, 2002. The disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disability, rheumatoid arthritis, a disability manifested by poor memory and concentration, and cataracts, all due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to the date of receipt of his formal or informal claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his requests for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type II. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus and for service connection for hypertension, both on a direct basis.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's chronic renal insufficiency and diabetic nephropathy associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that such conditions have been shown to be manifested by a definite decrease in kidney function.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for pancreatic cancer as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic neuropathy and impotence, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ are denied as there was no pending claim prior to January 8, 2003.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in his reported service in Vietnam and the need to verify his presence there. The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis as a result of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is denied for the remaining conditions.