Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it does not require regulation of activities. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 20 percent is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's exposure to insecticides during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7913. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it fails to demonstrate that the disability requires regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 18, 2004 for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also found that hypertension with nephropathy is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension in service or within the first post-service year, and determined that it is not related to diabetes mellitus type I. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I remains at a 60% rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for proliferative diabetic retinopathy and incipient cataracts in both eyes has been denied by the Board, as his visual acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of an extra-schedular evaluation due to his service-connected disabilities, as he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were not granted, and no special monthly compensation was awarded due to lack of evidence showing need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's hypertension is claimed as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that further development, including a new VA examination and review of SSA records, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that there is competent evidence tending to establish bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II are attributable to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that an effective date prior to March 14, 2007 for the grant of DIC benefits is not warranted as there was no indication of intent from the appellant to apply for such benefits before this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence. The primary issue is whether his current sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a video-conference hearing. The service connection issues for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and bilateral pes planus were denied. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 1 is being remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA medical opinions provided, and additional development is needed.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which was not adequately addressed in the previous examination. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with secondary renal disease and hepatitis B with cirrhosis were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other causative factors.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of these conditions until many years after discharge from active duty, and there is no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the disability picture did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation prior to May 10, 2005 and beginning on May 10, 2005, it met criteria for a 40% evaluation.