Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus, Type 2. The veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in the Gulf War.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 8, 2004 for a separate 10 percent disability rating for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus was denied.,The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 8, 2004 for a separate 10 percent disability rating for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus was denied.

The veteran's death prevented the payment of accrued benefits due to his having no unpaid periodic monetary benefits at the time of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date of a 30 percent rating for cataracts and service connection for venous insufficiency as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not show that the veteran's cataracts worsened prior to November 23, 2004 or that his venous insufficiency was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and basal cell carcinoma. The appeals were based on direct service connection rather than herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not begin during service or become manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence showing it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for secondary service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, warrants a 20 percent disability rating as it currently requires insulin and restricted diet without regulation of activities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 20, 2004, for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that the veteran did not meet the percentage requirements for consideration for a TDIU prior to July 20, 2004, and that his service-connected disabilities were not sufficient to render him unemployable solely due to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and his diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by active service. PTSD was also denied as there was no evidence of an in-service stressor. Multiple medical conditions claimed due to ionizing radiation were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 5, 2001 for service connection of diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The effective date is set at the later of when the claim was received or when the disability arose.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the veteran's condition is currently manifested by use of insulin and restricted diet for blood sugar control; there is no need for regulation of activities. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his unverified service and obtain additional evidence regarding his claimed conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus warranted a 20 percent rating, and his peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities warranted separate 10 percent ratings. The appeals for higher ratings were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, based on exposure to herbicide agents, is denied as there is no objective evidence that he was ever present in the Republic of Vietnam at any time.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claim for residuals of rabies was denied in November 1998 and remains denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted with an initial evaluation of 20% effective March 1998, and a subsequent increase to 40% effective September 20, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.