Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus, which is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher evaluation as it does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and whether his hypertension and erectile dysfunction are related to this condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records need to be reviewed to confirm if he served in Vietnam, which is a critical element for presumptive service connection. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from Walter Reed Hospital and the Houston VAMC prior to 2002. The case will be remanded for further consideration based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The service-connected diabetic nephropathy (claimed as kidney failure) has not resulted in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was rated at 20% from November 8, 2004 to October 29, 2006 and increased to 40% on and after October 30, 2006. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II and the request for separate ratings for nephropathy with hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated at 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and 30 percent for nephropathy with hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not necessitated regulation of his activities and has not resulted in episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year. Therefore, the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding that no informal or formal claim was received prior to the specified dates.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine conditions, and knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for hypertension due to withdrawal. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not related to service or noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The decision is based on his significant nonservice-connected disabilities, including blindness.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and eye disability, finding insufficient evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is being remanded for additional development of his service records and personnel files.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted as his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam during active duty is presumed and he has a current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II is service-connected on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The claims for blindness and hypertension were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a colon disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as they were not related to the Veteran's active service or any incident therein.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and numbness of the bilateral hands and feet as not being supported by competent medical evidence. The Veteran was also denied a compensable rating for his hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for pancreatitis with pancreatic cyst, diabetes mellitus, and a heart condition as they were not related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent and did not meet the criteria for a total rating based on unemployability.

The claim for service connection for a stomach disorder was denied as new and material evidence has not been presented.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a stomach disorder is denied.,PTSD was granted based on a diagnosis related to an in-service assault, which meets the criteria for service connection.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder is granted; however, the claim for service connection for a back disorder is not met.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence that it is related to service or any incident therein.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied.