Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension are all rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are not in excess of what is warranted under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not blind in both eyes, does not require nursing home care due to mental or physical incapacity, and her disabilities do not necessitate regular aid and attendance of another person on a regular basis. The appellant's conditions are deemed insufficient for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were not incurred or related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that may be related to his current diagnosis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including obtaining SSA records. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot, Type II diabetes mellitus, and PTSD were denied. The Board found no evidence linking any current conditions to military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acquired nicotine dependence and associated respiratory disorders, impotence as secondary to service-connected prostatitis, otitis media, diabetes mellitus, and esophageal hernia (secondary to service-connected sinusitis).

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and the earlier effective date claim for bilateral hammertoes. The veteran's diabetes was not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure. Service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted but with an effective date of July 29, 2002.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service connected. The Board dismissed the appeal for this condition as the veteran requested withdrawal of his claim. Secondary service connection was granted for sleep disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee disability, right hand disability, breathing problems, and skin rash.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, type II due to service or any other event or incident in his period of active service. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to a lack of credible evidence supporting his claimed stressors during active duty.

The veteran's recurrent boils in the rear of the neck are found to be due to treatment for the same condition during service while serving in Vietnam. The arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, heart murmur, and hypertension are not considered service-connected.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The veteran also has non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy which warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other disease/injury in service that could have caused his current condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including high blood pressure, back disorder, left leg pain (other than peripheral neuropathy related to diabetes mellitus type II), depression, hyperglycemia, bilateral knee disorders, right hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection in these cases.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, remains under consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating, and his hypertension warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for evaluations of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both feet is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The veteran has lost the use of his right hand and foot due to peripheral neuropathy, qualifying him for special monthly compensation. He is also eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment and specially adapted housing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accident, vision loss of the right eye, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's active service.