Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a disease or injury during service, and the presumptive provisions for herbicide exposure did not apply as the veteran had not served in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a C&P examination and review of the veteran's medical records to determine if his hypertension is secondary to diabetes mellitus or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death, which was caused by cirrhosis, is associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO needs to arrange for VA examinations and opinions regarding his current employment status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of Type II diabetes mellitus in service or within one year post-service, and denied the claim on a direct basis. The veteran's coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy were also not granted as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, periodontal disease, right elbow disability, left hip disability, varicose veins in both lower extremities, toenail fungus, and cluster and tension headaches. The appeals are all dismissed as the evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and his bilateral hand disability has not been shown to be service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding the evaluation of diabetes mellitus, which was granted at a 20 percent rating effective June 9, 2005.

The veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The RO has ordered further development to obtain medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of in-service diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for both diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the criteria for such ratings were not met. The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, impotence, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development at the RO level. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus are pending.

The veteran's diabetes was managed with a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agent since January 12, 2006. Prior to this date, the condition was manageable by a restricted diet only. The current manifestations do not warrant higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for service connection for dental disability, which is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus (Type II), has been remanded due to a hearing issue. The case will be reconsidered by the DRO who presided at the June 2008 hearing.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension as they are not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board found that the September 2003 rating decision, which granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and assigned a 20% rating, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's appeal regarding a separate evaluation for peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The secondary service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was also denied as there is no evidence suggesting a direct relationship between the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his current condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not necessitate a higher rating due to its current manifestations, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.