Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran withdrew his appeals, leaving no justiciable case or controversy for the Board to consider.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities and did not address the earlier effective date claim.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I, is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction is productive of the need for prescribed insulin and a restricted diet, with evidence of a need to restrict his physical activities in order to control his diabetes. The Board finds that the severity of the service-connected diabetes more closely approximates the criteria for the next higher rating of 40 percent.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including adjudicating the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus for the purpose of accrued benefits and also readjudicating the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus was incurred during his active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease with congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hypertrophy as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetic nephropathy does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, as it does not show albumin constant or recurring with hyaline and granular casts or red blood cells, nor hypertension at least 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent since November 28, 2005. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and increased the disability ratings for right and left knee disabilities to 10 percent each. The veteran's claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 21, 2002 for TDIU due to unemployability resulting from service-connected disabilities. The earliest date that it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred was not prior to June 21, 2002.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted, but the initial evaluation remains noncompensable.

The veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to confirm the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his military service and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any currently diagnosed disabilities of the right or left shoulder, and her claims for service connection are denied. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that she experienced in-service injuries leading to diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, GERD, or degenerative joint disease of the cervical or lumbar spine.

The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the veteran's service-connected conditions and to determine if he meets criteria for specially adapted housing or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 40 percent rating, as it requires insulin and a restricted diet with regulation of activities.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and increased evaluations for dermatitis of the scalp, inguinal region, and thighs, as well as gunshot wound residuals of the right hand due to the veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination to address osteoarthritis.