Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 20, 2004, for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that the veteran did not meet the percentage requirements for consideration for a TDIU prior to July 20, 2004, and that his service-connected disabilities were not sufficient to render him unemployable solely due to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and his diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by active service. PTSD was also denied as there was no evidence of an in-service stressor. Multiple medical conditions claimed due to ionizing radiation were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 5, 2001 for service connection of diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The effective date is set at the later of when the claim was received or when the disability arose.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the veteran's condition is currently manifested by use of insulin and restricted diet for blood sugar control; there is no need for regulation of activities. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his unverified service and obtain additional evidence regarding his claimed conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus warranted a 20 percent rating, and his peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities warranted separate 10 percent ratings. The appeals for higher ratings were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, based on exposure to herbicide agents, is denied as there is no objective evidence that he was ever present in the Republic of Vietnam at any time.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claim for residuals of rabies was denied in November 1998 and remains denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted with an initial evaluation of 20% effective March 1998, and a subsequent increase to 40% effective September 20, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss, sleep disorder, lethargy, PTSD, stomach problems, intestinal polyps, skin condition of the legs, face, and arms (previously claimed as itching), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and headaches have all been denied. The RO found no evidence to support these conditions or their relationship to service.,The veteran's claims for PTSD were previously denied due to lack of verified stressor events. New evidence submitted since the previous denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied DIC benefits under Section 1310. The claim for compensation benefits under Section 1151 is also denied as there is no evidence showing VA negligence contributed to the cause of death. Basic eligibility for DEA Program under Chapter 35 is also denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, type II, which is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is not otherwise related to such service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's nonservice-connected hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and chronic kidney failure due to herbicide exposure are all granted.