Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no evidence of service connection or a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam during his visitation there is presumed to have caused his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to it. The TDIU claim will also be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right arm and leg, or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have had its onset due to herbicide (Agent Orange) exposure during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his myocardial infarction is presumed to be related to his status as a former prisoner of war. The appellant's claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final decision.

The VA denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not materially contribute to his impairment, thus denying his eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a higher initial rating than 20 percent, as it is currently shown to be no more disabling than requiring insulin and restricted diet.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, finding that his condition did not warrant such a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that the earliest possible effective date is the date of receipt of his formal claim on January 10, 2005.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further development and clarification of whether the service-connected diabetes caused or aggravated the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all claims for increased evaluations. The right knee arthritis is found to be productive of painful motion, warranting a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II due to herbicide exposure during his military service. The case has been remanded for additional information and development.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and increased ratings for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus and that there was no evidence to support presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it presumed to have been incurred during service. The evidence did not support a finding of an in-service diagnosis of diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, type II, allergies (presumably allergic rhinitis), and cataracts are not related to service exposure to neurotoxins. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU have been met.