Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy, warrants a 20 percent disability rating. The left foot ulcer is rated at its maximum of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7803.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or combat, and the current conditions are not linked to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and VA examinations to determine service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability secondary to her service-connected diabetes mellitus has been denied. The evidence does not show the presence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability, and there is no medical opinion linking any such disability to her service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right shoulder injury was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction were denied. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus with a 20% rating throughout the appeal period. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy conditions are rated based on their severity.

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service or herbicide exposure. Service connection was also denied for hypercholesterolemia because it is not a compensable disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and impotence, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation on account of the loss of use of a creative organ. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death, caused by rhabdomyolysis, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, depression, and aggravated diabetes.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA medical records from the VAMC in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, tendonitis of the elbows, arthritis and tendonitis of the legs, and arthritis and tendonitis of the feet will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The veteran is granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for a seizure disorder is denied as there is no current evidence of such condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus, a disease presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides during service, significantly contributed to his death from metastatic adenocarcinoma. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dry mouth and mouth ulcers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chloracne or other acneform disease, and a skin disease to include lichen simplex chronicus, tinea manum, and tinea pedis. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including obtaining ship logs/histories and treatment records from his service vessels.

The Board found the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus granted severance.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for renal disease secondary to hypertension and an eye condition, also related to hypertension, are pending in the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, as his other conditions were not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits based on a pending claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether diabetes mellitus contributed to the veteran's death.