Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected, as it was not caused or aggravated by his right knee disability.,Service connection for incontinence and impotence are granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is manifested by use of insulin and diet restriction, which warrants a 20 percent disability rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The veteran's conditions do not render him permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He needs occasional assistance with activities of daily living, but is able to ambulate for distances greater than 100 feet with the use of a walker.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it is currently controlled with oral medication and diet without requiring insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his military service and the condition. The NPRC did not confirm any Vietnam-era service or exposure to herbicides (including Agent Orange).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The veteran's claims include service connection for diabetes, CAD, skin condition, anxiety disorder, and an earlier effective date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic gynecological problems, low back pain, leg edema (secondary to hypertension), hypertension, chest pain, angina, cardiac arrest and Prinzmetal angina, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's death was caused by sepsis due to staphylococcus infection, and other significant conditions contributing to his death were COPD, diabetes, vascular Dementia, Alzheimer's Dementia, prostate cancer, and myocardial infarction. The Board is remanding the case for further development including a file review by an appropriate examiner to determine if there is a causal nexus between any service-related event and the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure during his tour in the Republic of Vietnam. The VA has not yet determined if the veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, afibrillation, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, Charcot joint disease, and left foot disability. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder due to insufficient evidence. The veteran's current psychiatric condition is unclear in relation to his diabetes mellitus, and there is no objective evidence on unemployability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, finding that the veteran's condition did not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus. The appeals seeking service connection for low back and vision problems (claimed as glaucoma) are dismissed due to the veteran's withdrawal of her appeals at a July 2008 hearing.