Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for an etiological opinion regarding his detached retina and hearing loss, as well as issues related to his diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of teeth, sinus condition, vision problems, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), tinnitus, skin disability, and residuals of a left knee injury were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disorder due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia (prostate condition), and osteoporosis. Service connection was denied for torus palatinus, periodontal disease, obesity, septal deviation, diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent, and his diabetes mellitus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his Type II diabetes mellitus, which was presumed due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted. Service connection for kidney failure and back neuropathy are not established, but service connection for loss of balance is denied. The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities results in moderate impairment prior to January 9, 2007, and severe impairment from that date forward.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral leg disorder, low back injury residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence submitted since the last final denial did not provide new or material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral arterial disease has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent, with each leg receiving a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for further development. The Board will attempt to verify the Veteran's claimed service in Vietnam and obtain deck logs from the USS REGULUS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease with contributing diabetes mellitus) was not related to his service. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied as there were no qualifying total disability ratings.

The Veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he asserts is due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his military service. The Board has ordered the VA to verify the Veteran's claimed flight into Vietnam and to review all personnel records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities, finding no current diagnosis of this condition in the medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is granted with a 30 percent rating, effective from March 1997. The RO also increased the ratings for high blood pressure and diabetic retinopathy of both eyes.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except the ones related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy due to injury of the inferior orbital nerve were denied. The Veteran's diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities. His right orbital nerve disorder is manifested by numbness of the right cheek.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's contentions that his current type II diabetes mellitus is related to service, and denied the claim. The right knee replacement issue remains pending as it involves a denial of entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing.