Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The Board will consider whether his service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides while stationed near the DMZ in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of diabetic retinopathy did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be related to his active military service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for diabetes mellitus Type II has been withdrawn. The Board finds that he is entitled to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims for various conditions, but the claims are all denied as the appellant did not provide credible evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening the claim, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the service-connected PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 4, 2007, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone precluded gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering whether staged ratings are appropriate.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating greater than 20% for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as her audiometric test results do not meet VA criteria for such a disability. For diabetes mellitus, while she was diagnosed with the condition in service, there is no evidence that it has been aggravated by any service-connected condition or due to an incident of service. The Board also noted that the Veteran's diabetes does not interfere with her ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left wrist, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these conditions during service or within one year post-service, nor did they find a link between any current condition and service. Additionally, there was no evidence supporting loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown in service or within one year thereafter, and is unrelated to service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, as secondary to his left knee disability, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for the right knee disability on a secondary basis. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim remains pending. His left shoulder disability claim also remains pending. Increased ratings are sought for both service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction is currently evaluated at 20 percent. The left ankle sprain with a history of gout warrants a 10 percent evaluation. Both right knee and left knee degenerative joint disease are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to be related to his active duty service or presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound due to his age over 65 and having a combined service-connected disability rating of 40 percent, which is more than the required 30 percent when considering non-service connected disabilities. His combined evaluation for pension is 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, onychomycosis (secondary to diabetes mellitus), left shoulder disability, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), heart disease (including congestive heart failure and edema of the legs) (presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure), PTSD, and granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service and cannot be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was denied as not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and it is not presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.