Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there was no legal basis to award higher ratings or secondary service connection. The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, tinnitus at maximum schedular rating (10%), diabetes mellitus at 20%, diabetic neuropathy of both upper extremities at 10% each, and major depressive disorder was not found to be related to his diabetes.

The veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability, and the Board finds no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The cause of death listed on his certificate is acute coronary insufficiency, which is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes, hypertension, and skin condition are not related to his military service. Service connection is denied for all three conditions.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a left leg disability and also denied an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus. The evidence submitted did not establish a nexus between any current left leg or hip disorder and service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to his service-connected conditions or events.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but the Board is remanding the case to determine if his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not incurred in or related to service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been granted service connection and is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the current rating of 20 percent accurately reflects the extent of his disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not have in-service exposure to Agent Orange and thus could not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2, based on herbicide exposure. The current diagnosis of diabetes was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted higher initial ratings of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the veteran's lower extremities, finding moderate incomplete paralysis in both legs.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, onychomycosis and tinea pedis, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The denial is based on a lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The VA denied an increased initial evaluation for diabetic nephropathy, currently rated at 60 percent.

The case is REMANDED for further development in order to determine the current degree of impairment due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on regulation of activities or symptoms such as ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis due to service-connected bronchial asthma. The heart disability, reduced blood circulation, spinal nerve damage, and diabetic retinopathy claims are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in the record or a causal relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for liver disease, including as secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been dismissed.

The veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right eye condition related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disorders may be aggravating his hypertension.