Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and there is no evidence to substantiate exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability related to service, specifically low back pain and diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for PTSD will be remanded as the veteran's lay statements do not provide sufficient corroboration of in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy and therefore, service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the evidence does not show a current diagnosis of residuals of cold injury, diabetes, or diabetic neuropathy to the upper and lower extremities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a back disorder, a bilateral leg disorder, sleep apnea, and depression due to herbicide exposure. The appeals were based on presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, standing alone, does not require regulation of activities and denied an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a cardiovascular disorder. The evidence did not show exposure to herbicides or other presumed conditions associated with Agent Orange, nor was there any direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision disorder, respiratory disorder, or heart disorder on either a direct or presumptive basis. The claims were therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetic neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetic neuropathy was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening of the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the hypertension claim. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus is not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the earliest date of receipt of his claim is February 28, 2004.

The veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations of all service-connected disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and skin cancer (claimed as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma) are not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertensive heart disease are not service-connected as claimed. The claims were denied due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset or connection to service.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing regional ileitis with bowel resection did not worsen during service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent rating, effective May 2001.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since May 16, 2003. He is also granted a TDIU rating.