Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and dismissed the appeals regarding the evaluation of diabetes mellitus and denial of service connection for a bilateral eye condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, skin condition, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's diabetes mellitus and leg swelling are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as service connection for hypertension. The appeals were based on the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 30, 2004.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted and a 30 percent rating is assigned.

The Board denied service connection for nerve damage and numbness to the left leg as residual of trauma to the iliac crest, but granted service connection for scarring. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the current degree of impairment due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to herbicide agents, finding that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy or provide objective evidence of his claimed stressors. Diabetes was also not diagnosed until many decades post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral foot and heel disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral knee arthritis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from November 1, 2004 through March 7, 2007. From March 8, 2007 onwards, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for breathing problems secondary to asbestos exposure due to lack of evidence of actual exposure and no shown disability.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus with nephropathy. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C and liver problems is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The veteran's increased rating claims for diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), rhinophyma, amputation of the left great toe, fracture of the right mandible, chip fractures of the ring and middle fingers, and compound fractures of the lower third of the right tibia and fibula were pending at his death. The claims are denied as there is no evidence to warrant an increased rating for any condition.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The RO found no evidence of an earlier claim or medical evaluation prior to December 10, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there was no evidence of chronicity in service or a showing of continuity of symptoms after discharge. The Board found that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam or Korea during the period when Agent Orange was used, thus presumptive service connection is not warranted.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. COPD was not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating or earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for renal carcinoma and metastatic carcinoma to the lungs, finding that there was no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service. The lapse of time since separation from service also weighed against granting service connection.