Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that the disability picture does not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to ionizing radiation or mustard gas. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and hypertension. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus and denied her claims for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetes mellitus, and cholecystitis status post cholectectomy.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, and the current claim for an increased rating since September 25, 2003 also failed to meet the criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, left eye disorder, hypertension, or claudication of the lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claim for diabetes, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus that was present in service or is otherwise related to active duty service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The ratings for PTSD prior to July 24, 2002, and for diabetes mellitus from March 1, 2004 onwards, were also not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of a disease in service or within one year of separation. The Board concluded that diabetes was not incurred during active duty and could not be presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA endocrine examination to clarify whether the veteran's hypothyroidism began in service and is related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, muscle deterioration, a skin condition, and PTSD due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and Type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of medical records.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for steroid-induced diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft as secondary to service-connected postoperative residuals of a discectomy at L4-5 with chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, based on a presumption of exposure to herbicides in service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim to reopen a psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.