Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for diabetes and organic brain syndrome, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for stroke was remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected psychiatric disability. The appellant does not meet the criteria for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board found that the veteran does not have prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or depression that is attributable to military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus did not have onset during service and is unrelated to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted due to its severity and complications.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a stomach disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, and a psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient information regarding his in-country service in Vietnam. The case will be reviewed again after additional research is conducted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus and a higher initial rating, finding that the earliest possible effective date was January 13, 2001.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that the disability is adequately managed with insulin and a restricted diet.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding that his current auditory thresholds did not meet the criteria for VA disability benefits. The RO must be remanded to provide an examination assessing both speech recognition and auditory threshold levels.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His diabetes mellitus, type II, was not rated higher than 20 percent. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. Peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was also not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, left hip trochanteric bursitis, bilateral heel spurs, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, Type II, or sleep apnea. As a result, these claims remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for eye troubles and diabetes mellitus, finding no current diagnosed disabilities related to the veteran's military service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus Type II and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension are being considered, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, warrants a 20 percent disability rating since its initial grant of service connection. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.