Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection due to herbicide exposure, specifically in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted service connection, but the VA has determined that neither condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and increased the rating for diabetes to 20 percent, effective July 25, 2001. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic retinopathy with cataracts remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; a bilateral foot disorder; and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and service connection is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is also granted as it is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's liver condition is not service connected on a direct or secondary basis.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for separate compensable ratings for diabetic retinopathy and increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral diabetic retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his claims for hearing loss of both ears. The Veteran was granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but assigned a noncompensable rating. His diabetes mellitus with bilateral cataracts and erectile dysfunction were rated at 20 percent. Separate ratings for erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The decision found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. However, it found that the Veteran's diabetes does not require any treatment and there is no restriction on his diet or activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, type 2, hypertension, peripheral neuropathies, or erectile dysfunction are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the appellant's claims, including clarification on whether he wishes to pursue his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and an eye disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current heart condition, seizure disorder, tinnitus, lung disorder, or diabetes mellitus that is service-connected. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on current medical evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides in service and thus could not establish a presumption of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and finds that his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features of depression and anxiety have aggravated his diabetes mellitus. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities with resulting amputations and is now considering whether new evidence supports a grant of this claim. The Board also intends to consider the issue of ischemic heart disease, which may be related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence to support these claims.