Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran was granted an initial noncompensable rating for diabetic retinopathy prior to March 5, 2007.,From March 5, 2007 to May 3, 2009, the Veteran's disability was rated as 10 percent based on visual acuity impairment.,Effective May 4, 2009, the Veteran's disability was rated at 20 percent due to continued visual acuity impairment.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, complications, hernia residuals, eye disorders, vascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year of service, and the medical records do not support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, and a foot disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was previously denied in September 2005 due to lack of evidence showing permanent hearing loss at separation from service. The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C is not supported by evidence related to active duty service or any other risk factors. The Board also found that the Veteran's foot disorder is not shown to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension, Type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic nephropathy) prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted higher initial disability ratings for hypertension and Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death and basic eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35. The immediate causes of the Veteran's death were coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, with significant contributing conditions including diabetes mellitus and COPD.

The VA medical opinion found that the Veteran's death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning, not related to his service-connected conditions. The appellant's argument that her husband died from a fire caused by his inability to escape due to his disabilities or that his diabetes mellitus caused his strokes is not supported.

The RO has recently granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, there is no longer an issue of fact or law pertaining to this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to reopen his claim for tinnitus, but remanded this issue for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and right ventricular hypertrophy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, which she contends was caused or aggravated by her service-connected thyroid disorder. The VA needs to conduct a medical examination and review the relevant records to determine if there is any link between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes, and tinnitus disabilities combined to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have diabetes mellitus, Type II or any other claimed conditions as a result of service. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active duty training (ACDUTRA) or related to any other period of service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The RO granted this claim in November 2005 with an effective date of August 16, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for a skin disability, but not for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran does not have hypoglycemia or fatigue related to his military service.