Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective January 28, 2009. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for hypertension, sleep apnea, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and diabetes mellitus were denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hypertension were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, but found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for an eye disorder. The decision also noted that there was no indication of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete deck logs and further verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure, remains under review.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 60% disability rating effective November 27, 2000. The Veteran also received an increased rating for his costochondritis from 10% to 60%. No other issues were addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess his employability and consideration of whether he meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is presumed to be etiologically related to his in-service herbicide exposure. His skin conditions of the bilateral feet/ankles are found to have been caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus secondary to it. The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by the VA hospitalization and treatment, including the above-the-knee amputation due to infection. The Board finds that the negligence in performing the surgery despite his anemia did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a link between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment given his work history and educational background, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the appellant's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during active service, within a year after discharge, or during any period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). As such, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with psychosis and diabetes mellitus, have significantly impaired his ability to move around. As a result, he is eligible for specially adapted housing assistance but not for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied. The Board also noted that the Veteran had withdrawn his appeal seeking special home adaptation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, with diabetic retinopathy and renal involvement has been rated at 20 percent since May 8, 2001. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and liver cirrhosis have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and other potential sources of his diabetes claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be related to his active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange in service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and allergic rhinitis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus is August 17, 2005.

The appellant wishes to withdraw her appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.