Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II prior to May 18, 2005. The RO granted him a 40 percent disability rating effective from May 18, 2005.

The veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins, Type II diabetes mellitus with hypercholesterolemia, and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection were also denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy to service or his service-connected right eye retinitis and type II diabetes mellitus, thus denying these claims.

The veteran's death was due to service-connected hypertension. However, the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311 as his disability rating had not been at 100% for a continuous period of eight years prior to his death.

The veteran's widow is seeking service connection for vision impairment secondary to his diabetes mellitus and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, both for accrued benefits purposes. The case must be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides warrants presumptive service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, finding that he does not require insulin and thus does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The veteran's death was not due to service-connected disabilities, and he did not meet the threshold criteria for DEA benefits.

The veteran's compensation benefits were reduced due to incarceration and recoupment of disability severance pay. As a result, there are no benefits available for apportionment on behalf of the dependent parent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of secondary service connection claims. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a compensable evaluation for the right foot fracture was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of all evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The veteran's current diagnoses were not related to her time in the military.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) and denied entitlement to an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether the veteran had Type I or Type II diabetes mellitus. The specialist should determine if the veteran's diabetes contributed to his death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. Therefore, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety neurosis). The evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes, and there was no clear evidence of a link between the veteran's current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and bradycardia with syncope as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his combined disability rating was less than 70%.