Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension for aid and attendance and housebound status due to her inability to meet the criteria for such benefits, as she is not in need of regular aid and assistance or substantially confined to her home.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II and hypertension are not service-connected. The chronic kidney condition and vision problems were also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for his diabetic retinopathy and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims. The hypertension claim is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and insufficient medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and an unknown allergy manifested by swelling of the tongue, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination by an endocrinologist to determine if the veteran's diabetes had its onset during or within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board found no current disability for memory loss or a nervous disorder, and the VA examiner opined that diabetes mellitus is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was denied for nausea as there was no confirmed diagnosis in the medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The Board also noted a lack of medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection with a 40% disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, non-service connected pension benefits, and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of the aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound. The veteran does not have a single permanent disability rated as 100 percent disabling, nor do his disabilities render him incapable of following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction warrants a 40 percent rating, which requires insulin and regulation of activities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lower extremity disabilities and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication. The veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as based on herbicide exposure is pending, while his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains before the Board.

The veteran's service connection claim for headaches was denied, as there is no credible evidence of a current headache disorder. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability claim was also denied due to the lack of evidence linking his service-connected disabilities to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current conditions were related to his service-connected hypertension or had onset during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The right distal ulna fracture claim was granted with a compensable rating, but the other claims related to anxiety disorder, right knee condition, diabetes, left knee condition, and rectal carcinoma were all denied.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not related to his service and denied the claim. The asthma issue remains pending as further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does have a kidney disease, which is considered diabetic nephropathy. The effective date for service connection will be granted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if any left knee disorder is related to service. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.