Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is characterized by the use of insulin and a restricted diet without mandated regulation of activities. The Board found that his condition does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's disabilities necessitate the regular aid and assistance of another person due to her inability to care for some of her daily personal needs and to protect herself from the hazards and dangers of her daily environment, warranting an increase in special monthly DIC benefits based on the need for A&A.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's conditions are service-connected, but the evidence does not show he is in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a colon disorder, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence to reopen the claim for diabetes mellitus. For the other conditions, there was no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active service and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's disorders are presumed to be due to his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The RO granted service connection for this condition and assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since December 6, 2000. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of regulation of activities as required for a 40 percent rating. Service connection for hepatitis was denied.

The Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for cellulitis, otitis media, tinnitus, nasopharyngeal cancer (claimed as throat cancer), and diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen his claims of service connection for a skin disability (claimed as jungle rot) of both feet and diabetes mellitus, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The RO's decision denying these claims is final.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus, Chloracne, and Coronary artery disease are all found to be related to his military service. The Board granted the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes. The Board has remanded the case due to several evidentiary and procedural issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam, including his time on a ship within Da Nang Harbor, is considered to meet the requirements for service or visitation. His diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim of increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded for additional development.

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