Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression secondary to diabetes, CAD, valvular heart disease, acid reflux or GERD, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, intermittent claudication, diabetic retinopathy, left foot and toe disability, psoriasis, and hypertension. The reasons for these denials are provided in the decision.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board found that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction related to a service-connected disability including as due to any claimed diabetes mellitus, an irregular heartbeat related to a service-connected disability including as due to any claimed diabetes mellitus, hypertension related to a service-connected disability including as due to any claimed diabetes mellitus, glaucoma related to a service-connected disability including as due to any claimed diabetes mellitus, or depressive and anxiety disorders, NOS, and social phobia. The Board denied these claims based on the lack of evidence supporting the veteran's assertions.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least eight years prior to his death, and therefore, the appellant is not entitled to additional monthly DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2).

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II does not require insulin or regulation of his activities. As a result, the initial disability rating for this condition remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for obtaining terminal hospitalization records and a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected stasis dermatitis caused or contributed to his death.

The veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is denied as the condition is already covered under the special monthly compensation he receives.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restrictive diet but not regulation of activities for the purpose of controlling blood sugar. The Board finds no more than a 20 percent rating is appropriate.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, including low back disability, left ankle sprain, eye disorder (other than conjunctivitis), bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, chronic lung disorder (PPD positive), gastrointestinal disorder (indigestion or gastritis), prostatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bronchopneumonia, peptic ulcer disease, ischemic heart disease and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with angina, diabetes mellitus, acute pyelonephritis, liver condition, Bell's palsy with facial numbness, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and erectile dysfunction.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral inguinal hernia and Type II diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence not previously considered.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, and diabetic retinopathy were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure are also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to a TDIU, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA medical examination.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with diabetic cheirarthropathy is being remanded due to the need for further VA examinations and development of medical records.

The veteran died due to multiple health issues, but there is no evidence that any service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for hypertension and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for PTSD was granted with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service, but there was no evidence of such exposure. Service connection could not be established as the conditions did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, residuals of a below-the-knee amputation (BKA) of the left leg, and anemia. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects. The Board found that there was no evidence of a thoracolumbar spine disorder or ankylosing spondylitis during active service or within one year after discharge.