Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been granted service connection and is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the current rating of 20 percent accurately reflects the extent of his disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not have in-service exposure to Agent Orange and thus could not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2, based on herbicide exposure. The current diagnosis of diabetes was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted higher initial ratings of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the veteran's lower extremities, finding moderate incomplete paralysis in both legs.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, onychomycosis and tinea pedis, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The denial is based on a lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The VA denied an increased initial evaluation for diabetic nephropathy, currently rated at 60 percent.

The case is REMANDED for further development in order to determine the current degree of impairment due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on regulation of activities or symptoms such as ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis due to service-connected bronchial asthma. The heart disability, reduced blood circulation, spinal nerve damage, and diabetic retinopathy claims are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in the record or a causal relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for liver disease, including as secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been dismissed.

The veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right eye condition related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disorders may be aggravating his hypertension.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to Agent Orange. The earliest the claim could be granted is June 12, 1991.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma is service-connected, as it began during his military service. The diabetes and heart disease are not found to be directly related to service or secondary to asthma medication.

The veteran's incarceration for a felony conviction has resulted in the termination of his pension benefits, and as a result, the apportionment to his minor child was reduced. The Board finds that the current apportionment is appropriate given the circumstances.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are separately rated at 10 percent. The RO increased these ratings to 40 percent effective May 4, 2007. The veteran's PTSD remains at initial evaluations greater than 30 percent for the first period and greater than 50 percent from June 28, 2004 onwards.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal involves disagreement with the initial 20 percent disability rating assigned for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with associated complications. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development and consideration of whether a higher rating is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is related to exposure to herbicides, has been remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records.