Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during his period of active duty.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his diabetes or ischemic cardiopathy to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not found to be related to his military service, atrial fibrillation did not warrant a higher rating, bilateral hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation, degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee were rated appropriately, and instability of the left knee warranted a separate 10 percent rating. The Veteran's right shoulder condition was also rated appropriately.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the disability warrants a 40 percent rating, effective August 1, 2005.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of rupture of left scrotum, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and MDD), as well as his claim for TDIU. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of rupture of left scrotum.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, with diabetic retinopathy and hypertension is rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetic cataracts have been rated at 10 percent since November 12, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and determined that new evidence received since August 2001 is sufficient to reopen the claim. However, it was not established that the Veteran incurred diabetes during service or was exposed to herbicide agents during service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and a scar from a shell fragment wound, have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent. The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for type II diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and thus the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, including congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and ischemic heart disease were denied. His claim for an initial higher rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower extremity pain, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic low back strain, neither originated in nor is directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, Type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and herbicide exposure or military service. The claim for peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus was also denied as it is not based on a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chloracne, and diabetes mellitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for neuropathy is reopened but service connection is not granted due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and personnel records.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have any exposure to herbicides during his military service. As a result, the presumptions applicable to veterans who served in Vietnam are not applicable to this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, bronchitis, and asbestosis-related lung disease have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of current disabilities in each case.,Specifically, there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus or bronchitis during service or at any time thereafter. Service connection for asbestosis-related lung disease could not be granted because the Veteran did not have asbestos exposure during service.