Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disorders (including bronchitis and pneumonia), kidney disorder, bilateral eye disorder, chronic hearing disability, asbestosis, and prostate disorder are not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy as a result of exposure to herbicides. The issues of service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension, secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The VA has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was granted service connection for in December 2002 and is currently rated at 10 percent, does not require insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents to manage. The disability requires only a restricted diet.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection were denied. The RO continued the 20% evaluation for diabetes mellitus, granted separate 10% evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, but did not grant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reopening of a claim for post-traumatic stress disorder and an increased evaluation for diabetes. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The veteran's appeal for special monthly pension on account of the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted due to his disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus, venous insufficiency, lung condition, essential hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Board found that he needs regular aid and attendance as he is so nearly helpless in performing activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing himself, keeping himself clean, cooking for himself, and protecting himself from hazards.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining service records from Fort Buchanan and seeking a medical opinion regarding the likely date of onset of the veteran's diabetes.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including scheduling a hearing for the appellant and obtaining additional medical records. The veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hypertensive Vascular Disease (claimed as Hypertension), and an increased evaluation of Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2. The veteran did not have combat duty or verified in-service stressors for PTSD. His hypertension was not found to be due to his diabetes mellitus, type 2, nor were there any other service-connected conditions that caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service, including diabetes mellitus type II and primary or acute lateral sclerosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus warrants a rating of 60 percent, reflecting the need for insulin and restricted diet with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the hands and legs have been denied as there is no evidence meeting the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is causally related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's hypertension and hyperthyroidism are not service-connected. The Board is unable to determine if the veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his service, but it is service-connected. His diabetes mellitus remains service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD, and an initial evaluation greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The veteran was also denied a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,For peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (right and left), the current ratings of 10 percent are appropriate as there is no objective evidence of more than mild impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam.