Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective April 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including determining whether new evidence supports reopening of claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, as well as assigning effective dates for increased evaluations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, gallstones, pancreatitis, cholecystectomy, diabetes mellitus, scars, and gastroesophageal reflux disease is granted. The issue of service connection for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further verification of herbicide exposure at Fort Dix.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, including an assessment of whether it requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and Hypertension are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board granted the claims for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his military service and did not arise from herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and hypertension. The Veteran did not have service in Vietnam or combat duty, nor could his current conditions be linked to any incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 17, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. Service connection was also denied for right knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetic retinopathy, maculopathy, and cataracts is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he is granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current disability or evidence of in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for possible service connection, and the DIC claim is inextricably intertwined with this issue. The Board requires a VA medical opinion to determine if any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the lower extremities, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and lumbosacral spine disability. The appellant is not entitled to these claims as his conditions are not related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus was denied. The issues of service connection for ulcerative colitis, sleep apnea (on direct incurrence basis), and secondary to other conditions were also addressed but the claims were either not granted or deemed not new and material.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, as well as claims for non-service-connected death pension benefits and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The Board also denied claims for increased evaluations in excess of 30 percent for residuals of gunshot wounds to the left shoulder involving Muscle Groups I, II, and IV, and for a separate compensable rating for left shoulder traumatic arthritis. Additionally, the claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for C-5 radiculopathy was denied.