Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The right knee disabilities were also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities and left thumb trigger finger, finding that these conditions are related to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is denied for bilateral peripheral neuropathy other than diabetic neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues of service connection for lumbar disc disease and cervical spondylosis are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's primary insomnia is found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, warranting service connection.,Erectile dysfunction secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is also granted. The veteran's TDIU claim is pending as the medical evidence indicates he cannot work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and end stage renal disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The veteran's conditions are found to be the result of his active service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of type II diabetes mellitus was denied as the earliest diagnosis did not occur until December 19, 2001, which is after the effective date of the liberalizing legislation (May 8, 2001).

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the surviving spouse is therefore denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and coronary artery disease (CAD). The veteran was not granted a higher rating as his diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet.

The veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's Hodgkin's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure was dismissed due to lack of timely appeal. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected, as it was not caused or aggravated by his right knee disability.,Service connection for incontinence and impotence are granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is manifested by use of insulin and diet restriction, which warrants a 20 percent disability rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The veteran's conditions do not render him permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He needs occasional assistance with activities of daily living, but is able to ambulate for distances greater than 100 feet with the use of a walker.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it is currently controlled with oral medication and diet without requiring insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his military service and the condition. The NPRC did not confirm any Vietnam-era service or exposure to herbicides (including Agent Orange).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The veteran's claims include service connection for diabetes, CAD, skin condition, anxiety disorder, and an earlier effective date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic gynecological problems, low back pain, leg edema (secondary to hypertension), hypertension, chest pain, angina, cardiac arrest and Prinzmetal angina, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her military service.