Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus as a result of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is service-connected for aortic regurgitation and diabetes mellitus, which combined rating is 70 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. However, the appeal of his claim for PTSD remains pending as he has filed a valid Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication of his claims, including clarification of his current appeal and evaluation of diabetes with CAD and impotence.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis and diabetes mellitus were not granted increased ratings or service connection, respectively. The right foot condition was denied due to lack of in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, secondary to herbicide exposure is granted due to presumed exposure during his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that his exposure to herbicides during active service was not a causative factor leading to the development of his currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service or within the first post-service year, and denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's allergy and sinus disorder and sleep disturbance were not related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for the other conditions listed, including back disability and residuals of a left eye disability, is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The other claims, including those related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, a positive tuberculin tine test, and lung disability, were denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of vertebrae fusion. The issue of diabetes mellitus, type II is still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Board found no medical evidence linking diabetes mellitus, type II to service and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not service-connected, and the Board denied all claims. The Veteran's retinopathy did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent was procedurally correct and that a restoration of the 40 percent rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The issues of service connection for heart disease and hypertension as secondary to PTSD and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to lack of Vietnam service and need further investigation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and lack of rationale in the July 2007 VA examination report.