Diabetes decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange in Korea.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent. For the left lower extremity, a 20 percent rating has been granted effective August 17, 2006. For the right lower extremity, a 20 percent rating has been granted effective March 16, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, and thus an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to VA death pension benefits as a helpless child due to her current age and lack of evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, both of which he claimed were due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for nerve damage, left ulnar neuropathy, anxiety, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II, as these conditions are not shown to be related to the veteran's active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and lower extremity polyneuropathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and service connection for left ear hearing loss. The veteran is currently on a restricted diet and takes oral medication for his diabetes, but does not take insulin or have any restrictions on activities. For the left ear hearing loss claim, the Board requested clarification from the February 2008 C&P examiner regarding whether it was less likely than not that the condition was related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his gunshot wound residuals and COPD, contributed to cause or hastened his death.

The Board found that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus warranted a 40 percent rating, as it required insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.

The veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 20, 2004 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent since March 8, 2001 and upgraded to 40 percent effective May 1, 2007. The veteran's diabetic retinopathy was rated as noncompensable since March 8, 2001 and upgraded to 20 percent effective August 2, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the veteran actually set foot in Vietnam, and requested additional development including contacting the Department of Navy and Naval Historical Center.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis C, and symptomatic hidradenitis suppurativa due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent disability rating, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for depression and an acquired neurosis, as well as seventh cranial nerve paralysis (facial palsy). However, it denied reopening of the claims for narcolepsy, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's claim for PTSD was also reopened.

The veteran's request for a computer and golf clubs under the Individual Independent Living Program was denied because they are not considered necessary to his independence in daily living.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as per Diagnostic Code 8515.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for GERD and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his honorable military service.