Diabetes decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than that already assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was properly rated at 20 percent and denied an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no competent medical evidence of record indicating that the condition is causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for all conditions except an initial rating of 20 percent for arthritis of the left ankle.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and other relevant evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or establish service connection.

The Board denied service connection for Type I diabetes mellitus as it was not shown to be related to events, disease, or injury during military service.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that diabetes mellitus, type II, a condition presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service, contributed substantially to the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial ratings for his service-connected conditions are being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is etiologically related to the combined effects of his service-connected fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of the lower extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hearing loss and lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, while the claims for increased ratings for Type II diabetes mellitus, chondromalacia patella of both knees, and vertigo were denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, associated with herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as depressive disorder, and a lung disability were dismissed due to the withdrawal of the claim by the veteran. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus was denied based on lack of evidence supporting a link to herbicide exposure.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for an eye condition claimed as diabetic retinopathy, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, for further development.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but the appeal regarding an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The case is remanded for further development and readjudication of the service connection claim.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to diabetes mellitus, which was a significant factor leading to the veteran's death.

The veteran's diabetic retinopathy did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation from February 26, 2004 to April 10, 2006; an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from April 11, 2006 to July 20, 2008; and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent from July 21, 2008.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death and played no substantial or material part in his death, and did not otherwise materially accelerate his death.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not found to warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.