Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus, as well as his request to reopen a claim for service connection for asbestosis. The Board also dismissed the issue regarding the timely filing of a notice of disagreement with an August 1999 rating decision.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant does not have eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs death pension benefits.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure while stationed in Vietnam. The RO has requested additional personnel records, including temporary duty orders and administrative remarks, to verify the veteran's presence in-country during his active service.

The veteran's initial claim for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy was granted with a non-compensable rating from July 9, 2001 to July 23, 2003. A subsequent grant of service connection resulted in a 10 percent rating effective July 24, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus are being remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating of 60 percent, as all three requirements for such a rating (restricted diet and regulation of activities, episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization or visits to diabetic care provider, and complications from diabetes mellitus) have not been met.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides, were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction was not granted earlier than January 11, 2005.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus due to a lack of support in the medical opinions provided. The case is being returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or additional service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal of the issues regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus and compensation for hypertension under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and service connection for a bladder condition. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking the veteran's bladder condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.