Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for diabetes, end-stage renal disease, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in service or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, as there is no evidence of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider.

The veteran's service records show he stepped foot in Vietnam, qualifying him for the presumption of herbicide exposure. He was subsequently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, which is a presumptive condition resulting from such exposure.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and skin rashes as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a chronic skin disorder (claimed as tinea pedis and jungle rot), finding that new evidence supports the veteran's reported in-service stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of diabetes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, degenerative changes consistent with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or gout of the left wrist, peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, COPD, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer, finding that these conditions were not related to his military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD. The veteran's claimed stressors were not verified, and the evidence did not support a finding of combat involvement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and it is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature of her diabetes and whether it is related to service or due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of diabetes mellitus being incurred during active military service or within one year thereafter, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection. However, due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors, the claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his diabetes and foot issues were not caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, with associated conditions, is granted. The effective date of service connection is set at May 8, 2001.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him helpless or so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance. The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is currently rated at 10% each, but no higher. The veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy has a noncompensable rating.,For the period prior to December 19, 2005, the residuals of an old healed fracture of the left fibular of the left ankle are rated as 10%. For the period beginning December 19, 2005, the disability is rated at 20%.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 7, 2003 for the award of TDIU based on factual ascertainability as of that date.