Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that the current symptomatology is at least in equipoise with a relationship to active service, warranting service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left eardrum rupture and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus prior to July 6, 2005 was also denied. However, the veteran's TDIU claim was not addressed as it is unclear if this issue was part of his appeal.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus and multiple myeloma, both of which are associated with exposure to Agent Orange. The RO has determined that the veteran was exposed to herbicides in Korea but not during the specified time period. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current conditions could be related to this exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are not supported by the evidence of record. The claim for ear disorder (to include hearing loss) is reopened, but further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has restored service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, residuals of peripheral vascular disease, left below-the-knee amputation and contractures of the right lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right hand, and peripheral vascular disease of the left hand based on new medical evidence that supports the original grant of service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides and no in-service or post-service diagnosis. Service connection was also not granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's decreased visual acuity in the left eye following cataract extraction and vitrectomy was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the hands and feet are presumed to have been incurred as a result of exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the legal criteria for recognition as a former prisoner of war (POW) and denied all service connection claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The VA has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and assigned an initial 20 percent rating, effective April 29, 2004. The veteran's condition requires daily insulin injections and restrictions in his diet but does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any psychiatric disability, diabetic retinopathy (blurred vision), chloracne and porphyria cutanea, or peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities for purposes of establishing service connection.,Regarding erectile dysfunction, the evidence is insufficient to establish its etiology.

The veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, due to herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand. The Board has determined that the presumptive provisions do not apply as he did not serve in Vietnam. However, additional development is needed to determine if there was any other basis for service connection.

The Board has determined that diabetes mellitus is not proximately due to or the result of taking prednisone for service-connected asthma, and defective hearing was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus has been managed with oral hypoglycemic medication and restricted diet. He does not require a restriction of activities or experience episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.,Starting in January 2006, the veteran experiences constant pain and tiredness, numbness, and cramping after extended walking. There is decreased pinprick and vibration sense at the ankles with complete loss of sensitivity.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings, but not to the maximum levels. The veteran continues to experience symptoms that affect his daily activities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus based on aggravation by service during active duty. The veteran's pre-existing Type II diabetes mellitus was found to have worsened beyond its natural progression due to factors such as stress, lack of sleep, and constant work-related stress.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and other conditions were denied.,Service connection was not established for fibromyalgia, residuals of a back injury, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, chronic pain, atypical chest pain, psoriasis, arthritis of multiple joints, or cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus with venostasis ulcers. The veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus is set at 20 percent.