Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including ear, nose and throat disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, hypoglycemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II. The claims were denied as no new and material evidence was provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with retinopathy, cataracts, and GERD had shown improvement over a period of more than five years, supporting a reduction from 60% to 20% disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral leg disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The initial rating for residuals of neck trauma remains at 10 percent prior to March 14, 2008 and increases to 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus and his right shoulder disability is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, and no rating decision or effective date is provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not pre-exist his service and was not aggravated by it. The VA examiner found no evidence of a permanent aggravation of the cervical spine disorder due to service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, with sedentary forms of employment being possible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to herbicides or radiation was denied because there is no evidence of such exposure and the disease did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 6, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension more nearly approximates the criteria for a 10 percent rating but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying whether the Veteran is receiving Social Security disability benefits.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes based on exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service. However, the effective date is set at July 26, 2007, as this is when he filed his claim, which predates the liberalizing law that added diabetes as a presumptive condition due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy as the conditions are not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral wrist disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, hypertension, and a skin condition. The decision also addressed issues related to PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and lower back disability.