Diabetes decisions — 2008

The veteran's DM type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes insipidus did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as there was no evidence of one or more episodes of dehydration requiring parenteral hydration. The claims for service connection for thyroid disease and sciatic pain were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure, finding that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence linking his current conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and background retinopathy, finding that no claim was received prior to September 18, 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to a lack of legal merit or entitlement under the law, as no prior claims were received before May 26, 1999.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional medical records and examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that the current disability rating of 20 percent adequately reflects his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's death was due to atherosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both of which were not service-connected. The appellant seeks benefits for the cause of her husband's death, TDIU, and educational assistance under Chapter 35. However, the Board found that neither condition was service-connected or related to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus did not require a higher rating due to its impact on his activities or episodes of ketoacidosis/hypoglycemic reactions. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent was denied.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's diagnosed type II diabetes mellitus and his military service, including alleged chemical exposure therein.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right axilla lipoma (claimed as liposarcoma) and PTSD, and denied his increased rating claim for Type II diabetes mellitus. The evaluation of hypertensive vascular disease from March 5, 2003, Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee from March 5, 2004, and Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee from March 5, 2004, have also been denied. The veteran's daughter has not been recognized as a helpless child.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the hands and feet, diabetes mellitus as secondary to a cold injury, residuals of pneumonia, and bilateral sympathectomy. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for the period prior to January 29, 2003.,The veteran's hypertension is currently noncompensable and the medical evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a nonunion fracture of the right medial malleolus due to new and material evidence. The veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by active military service, warranting service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection. The veteran's diabetes mellitus, depression, and coronary artery disease were also denied as they are not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.