Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and found that the criteria for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for diabetes mellitus were not met.

The Board denied service connection for alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and acid reflux secondary to alcoholism. The claim to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for defective hearing of the left ear was also denied. Additionally, an increased rating for PTSD was not warranted.

The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus, and the evidence is insufficient to establish that his other claimed conditions are related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as there was no legal entitlement to an effective date earlier than January 29, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral vascular insufficiency as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's active duty or secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and HIV infection as there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the various disabilities claimed, as there was no evidence of a relationship between any of these conditions and the veteran's period of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as a service-connected disability did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus (including as due to Agent Orange exposure), glaucoma, and a sinus disability were denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran was not entitled to an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU as he did not meet the schedular criteria or show unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 30, 2003.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus with background diabetic retinopathy was denied as there is no evidence that the veteran met all eligibility criteria for service connection prior to March 10, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied, as was his claim for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease. The Board also denied the claims for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Board remands the case to obtain additional records regarding the veteran's potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or a link between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, does not require regulation of activities and therefore an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for peripheral vascular occlusive disease of the right leg requires additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for retained metallic fragments in his right and left hands, diabetes mellitus, arthritis of multiple joints, and an eye disorder.