Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, small and large bowel resection, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and cataracts as residuals of Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link to military service.

The veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are service-connected. Service connection for hepatitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for abnormal blood (hypertriglyceridemia) is also denied as it does not constitute a disability. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted, but chronic renal insufficiency remains unestablished.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for HHD was denied, and his claim for a T/R due to service-connected disabilities was also denied. The RO found that the veteran's HHD is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for a T/R but does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and an increased (compensable) evaluation for erectile dysfunction. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II is granted with a 20 percent rating prior to May 2, 2006.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran served in Vietnam and, therefore, qualifies for presumptive service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed Vietnam service and determine if he is eligible for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the March 2001 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus and a left leg condition is final. New and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims, and residuals of frozen feet were not incurred in or aggravated by military service. Service connection for colon cancer was also denied as there was no current diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various disorders, including diabetes mellitus and visual neuropathy, was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service medical records and scheduling a VA examination for PTSD. The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and new and material evidence are also being addressed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for increased evaluations and service connection are moot.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service or were not related to service. The claim for an earlier effective date for headaches remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an aneurysm of the brain, and a spinal disability (arthritis of the cervical spine) due to lack of evidence of exposure to Agent Orange in Korea. The conditions were not shown to have had onset during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right leg, and peripheral neuropathy of the left leg. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his helpless child benefits, finding that no new and material evidence had been received to show he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral vascular disease is not service-connected, and his claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied.