Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities, do not render him incapable of securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 30, 2004 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a disability rating of 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus effective April 19, 2006. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was manageable by restricted diet only prior to this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for new and material evidence to reopen his left hip disability claim. The TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and denied service connection for all issues.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right arm diabetic neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board finds that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to any incident or exposure in service. The Board also found that he was not exposed to herbicides during service at Fort Gordon or Fort Drum.

The Board found that the veteran's current diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.,The veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities as treatment prescribed by medical professionals. The evidence showed no need to avoid strenuous occupational or recreational activities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed type II diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent effective June 10, 2004.

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which led to alcohol abuse that contributed to the cause of death. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and elevated cholesterol level (hypercholesterolemia), finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The claim for hypertension was also denied, as there is no basis in the record for an initial increased evaluation.

The Board denied accrued benefits for the remaining unreimbursed medical expenses, including Medicare premiums and other services, due to insufficient evidence of past medical expenses at the time of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as claimed due to herbicide exposure during his military service. The evidence did not show any such exposure and there was no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, tendonitis of the right elbow, and tendonitis of the left elbow as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.