Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange. However, it has denied service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or unemployability.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20% for DM or ratings greater than 10% prior to August 2006, and no more than 30% since that date.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The veteran's lumbar spine DDD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease in the left lower extremity, and erectile dysfunction were not found to warrant higher initial ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, as the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions on appeal.

The veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes was denied, while he was granted entitlement to receipt of VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including a VA examination for the right shoulder and an opinion on the etiology of diabetes.

The veteran's adult onset diabetes mellitus is due to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus to obtain additional evidence, including VA treatment records and potentially missing service records.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, and there is no evidence of a kidney disability. Therefore, the claims for an increased rating for diabetes and service connection for a kidney disability have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and denied service connection for coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for tinea pedis and service connection for diabetes mellitus are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, degenerative disc disease of the spine, and diabetes mellitus type 2 were denied due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Type I diabetes mellitus as there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty or ACDUTRA.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 40 percent prior to February 12, 2007, and increased to 100 percent as of that date due to the severity of his symptoms.

The appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development and medical opinions regarding the veteran's eye disorder and hearing loss.