Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, arthritis, Cushing's syndrome, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected herpes genitalis. The claim for a compensable evaluation for herpes genitalis was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for Type-II diabetes mellitus were denied. The veteran was granted a noncompensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss from September 30, 2004 through October 12, 2005, and a 10 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being considered as secondary to his type II diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and aortic stenosis status post valve replacement with congestive heart failure. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that there are mixed issues in this case, with some aspects of the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus type I being granted under new evidence, while others remain denied. The left knee disorder claim is still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Diabetes Mellitus (Type II), Arteriosclerotic heart disease, and gangrene. The denial was based on a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors related to PTSD, and the absence of direct or presumptive service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that no claim was filed prior to December 14, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is a result of exposure to Agent Orange during service. The back disability was also found to be related to service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or substantial vision. Therefore, he is denied financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a bilateral eye disability as not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and assistance, and requests that new evidence be obtained from specific sources.

The veteran is eligible for special monthly pension based on being housebound due to his age and two disabilities rated at 60 percent disabling. He does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance.

The veteran's death was not due to service-connected conditions, and the appellant is not a child of the veteran for VA benefits eligibility purposes.

The veteran withdrew his appeals, thus the Board lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's diabetes mellitus, which requires insulin and restricted diet. The next higher (60%) rating is not warranted due to lack of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aided or lent assistance to cause his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetic retinopathy and whether he should be granted an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and loss of sexual potency.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.