Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including cardiomyopathy, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, were not found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's combined disability rating for service-connected conditions is at least 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition.,There is no evidence linking hypertension and diabetes mellitus to the Veteran's service.

The April 2003 rating decision denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence within one year following separation from service.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Veteran's private physician provided a statement indicating that his diabetes mellitus likely began in August 2001.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (diagnosed as coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and ischemic cardiomyopathy), both of which are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current residuals of a stroke to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (not related to PTSD), skin disorder, and asthma have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease with typical angina episodes or diabetic nephropathy.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,While the Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia/sleep disorder, it is not considered a compensable disability for which service connection can be granted. The Veteran's sleep issues are associated with his PTSD and not due to any service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension due to service, as there is no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection for Type II diabetes (DM) will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's death and his conditions. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to metastatic melanoma and diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or glaucoma being incurred in service and denied both claims. For diabetes, the Veteran did not have a current disability as it was not diagnosed until years after separation from service. For glaucoma, there is no indication that it began during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran was not exposed to mustard gas during service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed disabilities based on such exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection either.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus either caused or aggravated his erectile dysfunction, and thus grants service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded as the current evidence does not reflect the current state of his disability. The Veteran needs an updated VA examination to determine if he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. A separate compensable rating for urinary frequency associated with the diabetes is granted.