Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy, the maximum available under VA's rating schedule.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus, service connection for hypertension and heart condition, as well as elevated liver enzymes are being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for pressure sores as they are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's dysthymic disorder is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected diabetes. TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the earliest possible date was February 14, 2005.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his bilateral diabetic retinopathy. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it does not involve a direct link between service and the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for visual loss, headaches, and PTSD/anxiety disorder. The decision also addressed issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and PTSD/anxiety disorder, which were remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction is denied as lacking legal merit due to the one-year retroactive limit imposed by VA regulations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and cardiomegaly (heart disease) as there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and service.,There was no chronic right ankle disability shown in service. The veteran's current traumatic arthritis of the right ankle did not manifest within one year of his separation from service.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound. The Board found that he does not have a factual need for aid and attendance, nor is he substantially confined to his home.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations of his diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. The appeals were based on the timing of the veteran's initial claims and the date of clinical findings.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's PTSD did not contribute to his death and that any medication for PTSD would have likely improved his ability to cope with other health issues.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, dry eye, and a pterygium of the left eye, as they are not related to his active military service or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type III, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The effective dates for these conditions were not assigned as requested.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has also determined that he meets the requirements for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus (Type II) and found that the veteran's diabetic neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he contends is related to his in-country service and exposure to herbicides. The RO denied the claim due to lack of evidence of service in Vietnam. The case is being remanded to verify the veteran's in-country service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam or its demilitarized zone (DMZ) during his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and back disability were denied. The RO granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, status post arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy of the right eye, status post right 4th metacarpal fracture, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, and peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity.