Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating required for a compensable evaluation. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not have any restrictions on activities due to his diabetes.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the appellant's diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, diabetic left hand syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, effective December 27, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy, juxtafoval cystoid macular edema, and cataracts, have been rated at 20 percent since August 8, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including type II, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The issue of residuals of a head injury remains on appeal but not related to the denial.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred or presumed to have been incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and the Board grants this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse, which was secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia, and diabetes mellitus substantially contributed to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, type II, and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in the Vietnam era. The Board grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and active service.

The Board found no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prior to January 13, 2010, is rated at 20 percent. From January 13, 2010, the rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board granted an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, with effective dates not specified.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service onset or connection between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and bilateral foot disorder with his service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now on their merits.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance pending resolution of the hypertension issue.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD). The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made.