Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his service, including any potential herbicide exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of congestive heart failure during or within one year after service, and the claim was not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was currently receiving a 20 percent evaluation for his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and hypertension, including their onset and relationship to his diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which may affect his diabetes mellitus and related conditions.

The Board granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective December 12, 2007. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction with sterility was not found to warrant separate compensable ratings or additional special monthly compensation rates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a sleep disorder, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service is presumed. However, there was no current clinical diagnosis of diabetes, and the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's period of active service and either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability, and related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for diabetic-related lower extremity neuropathies, but not for upper extremity neuropathies.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as his diabetes does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in previous determinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his active service, specifically to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for impotence, aggravated by service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, is granted.

The Veteran's myocardial infarction is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are being remanded due to incomplete evidence and need further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring special home adaptation.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The hypertension appeared at a different time from the diabetes.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it. The Veteran is also awarded secondary service connection for various conditions related to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was denied as the disability does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.