Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus with impotence and hypertension were denied as there was no evidence of service connection due to herbicide exposure, and the Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus with neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, vitiligo, and hepatitis C were all found to be incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic headaches, and bleeding ulcer/gastric ulcer as a result of the Veteran's active military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's diabetic retinopathy, mild macular degeneration, and cataracts are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed conditions such as sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, major depression, or PTSD. The service connection claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, liver transplant, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy were denied as they are not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is service connected for chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. His disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of one lower extremity (left foot) and balance issues due to dizziness, which preclude locomotion without a wheelchair. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities with effective dates of February 24, 2006. The Veteran's initial ratings have been assigned at the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying alleged stressors. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim will be evaluated based on current evidence of record, while his PTSD claim will require verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, was denied. The RO granted service connection for hypertension but did not assign a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for asbestos-related lung disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 20, 2008 was denied. From October 20, 2008 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes mellitus during active duty service and is currently diagnosed as having Type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that service connection for diabetes mellitus is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral vision disability, resulting in blindness of the left eye and corrected central vision acuity of no worse than 20/70 in the right eye, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy of both feet is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 13, 2004.,From May 13, 2004 to October 18, 2006, the Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was rated at 10 percent; and his left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent.,Since October 18, 2006, the Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy has been rated at 20 percent; and his left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy has been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 30 percent.

The claim for service connection for pancreatitis has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II with minimal background retinopathy and cataracts, but no higher or earlier rating is warranted. Ratings of 10 percent are assigned for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for dementia, diabetes mellitus, and encephalitis, all claimed as due to radiation exposure during his military service. The evidence did not support a finding of radiation exposure or any link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic neuropathy, as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure.