Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's DM was rated appropriately, but his PTSD warranted a higher rating from May 14, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and residuals of fracture of the left middle finger are currently rated at their maximum levels. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity and symptomatology of his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on his combat experiences in Vietnam. The claims for erectile dysfunction and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was managed by restricted diet from January 22, 2007 to February 22, 2007. From February 23, 2007 to May 7, 2007, he received a 10 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. Since May 8, 2007, the Veteran has been rated at 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper and lower extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection on a direct basis as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea and insufficient medical nexus to establish a link between current conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II or hypertension due to lack of evidence of a current disability and no link to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart problems, lung cancer, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for a Board video-conference hearing. The claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is not about service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination of his hearing loss disability. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes, hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus with complications such as hypertension, macular edema, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension has been rated at 20 percent since August 1, 2007.,Chronic diarrhea due to type II diabetes mellitus is rated separately and assigned a 10 percent rating.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease with dyspepsia and gastroparesis was initially rated as noncompensable prior to June 22, 2011. A separate 30 percent rating has been granted since that date.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with dyspepsia and gastroparesis is not entitled to a higher rating from June 22, 2011.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which he contends is due to exposure to Agent Orange while stationed in Korea. The claim must be remanded as proper procedures have not been followed to corroborate whether the Veteran's service included service in the DMZ.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet, has been rated at 40 percent since February 2005. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and CAD resulting in a combined disability picture that prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. His PTSD does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has not addressed whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy have been granted, but his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination for the Veteran's son and updating the claim file with treatment records. The appellant's claims of nonservice-connected burial benefits, service connection for the cause of death, recognition as a helpless child, and eligibility for DEA benefits are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and eye disability were denied as there was no credible evidence to support the presence or causation in service.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed due to his in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as these conditions were first manifested during active service.