Diabetes decisions — 2008

The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, but his hypertension was determined to be aggravated by the service-connected diabetes.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the November 1980 decision which denied service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis externa, sinusitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right shoulder tendonitis as there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within a year of separation, and no competent medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not demonstrate a current disability manifested by diabetic retinopathy or that the veteran's currently diagnosed glaucoma was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, and service connection for the residuals of a cerebral vascular accident was granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than March 20, 2000, for a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability rating for residuals of cellulitis of the right mandible, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I, panic disorder, and facial scarring were denied.

The veteran's initial increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent. The effective date of service connection for this condition could not be earlier than January 16, 2001.

The veteran was granted a higher initial evaluation of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus type II, effective June 26, 2002.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was withdrawn. Service connection for hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus, was granted.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type 1 was denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent as the evidence did not show a disability picture that warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the veteran's service-connected aphonia contributed to his death, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria on May 8, 2001, and his initial diagnosis and claim were made after that date.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, resolving the benefit of the doubt in favor of the veteran. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as there was no evidence that a service-related disability caused or contributed substantially to the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension and diabetic retinopathy as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's active duty or Army Reserve service.

The appeal is remanded for further development and issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the claim to reopen service connection for diabetes mellitus based on new and material evidence.