Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding medical records and VCAA compliance issues.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and decreased penis size. The claims were previously denied in May 2001 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are both rated at 10 percent. The ratings for the right and left lower extremities have been restored.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for liver cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus, are shown to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work background.

The veteran's cataracts were not service-connected, and his diabetes mellitus was rated at 20% for accrued benefits purposes. The claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to such service. The claim for an increased rating for hypertensive cardiovascular disease status post myocardial infarction is also denied.

The Board found no evidence to support a link between the veteran's diagnosed diabetes and his periods of active service, including his period of ACDUTRA in June 1997. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, paresthesias of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link between his conditions and military service.

The veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, diabetes, and psychiatric condition are not related to her service.,She did not provide new evidence sufficient to reopen her claim for thoracolumbar scoliosis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media, a cyst in the ear (cholesteatoma), and a respiratory disorder. The Board found that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues, leading to the dismissal of these cases.

The VA determined that the veteran's hypothyroidism is not related to his service-connected Type I diabetes mellitus and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.,For the heart disability, the Board determined it was not otherwise etiologically related to such service. For type II diabetes mellitus, the Board found no evidence of its onset within one year post-service discharge and concluded it was not proximately caused or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected post-phlebitic syndrome of the right leg.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, and therefore is not entitled to a higher initial evaluation.

The VA has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The rating is based on the requirement of insulin and a restricted diet.

The Board is deciding claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, as well as reopening a claim. The veteran's claims are decided on the merits in some cases but not all.