Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it only requires insulin and a restricted diet without requiring regulation of activities such as avoidance of strenuous occupational or recreational activities.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to verify the veteran's periods of active duty for training with the South Carolina Army National Guard.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral diabetic retinopathy, finding that the conditions first manifested many years after service and were not related to any aspect of service.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and stasis dermatitis, finding that the veteran's condition warranted no more than a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted for reopening claims of service connection for bone ulcer of the right shin, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and left knee injury.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is not supported by the medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete development of records, lack of compliance with previous remand instructions, and need for proper notice in accordance with Vazquez-Flores v. Peake.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The right knee disabilities were also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities and left thumb trigger finger, finding that these conditions are related to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is denied for bilateral peripheral neuropathy other than diabetic neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues of service connection for lumbar disc disease and cervical spondylosis are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's primary insomnia is found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, warranting service connection.,Erectile dysfunction secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is also granted. The veteran's TDIU claim is pending as the medical evidence indicates he cannot work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and end stage renal disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The veteran's conditions are found to be the result of his active service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of type II diabetes mellitus was denied as the earliest diagnosis did not occur until December 19, 2001, which is after the effective date of the liberalizing legislation (May 8, 2001).

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the surviving spouse is therefore denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and coronary artery disease (CAD). The veteran was not granted a higher rating as his diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet.

The veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's Hodgkin's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure was dismissed due to lack of timely appeal. The TDIU claim remains pending.