Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection for obesity and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and assigned an initial 20 percent rating, effective from July 2001. The veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a claim for diabetes mellitus prior to May 8, 2001. As such, an effective date prior to this date cannot be granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective February 13, 2002. The disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disability, rheumatoid arthritis, a disability manifested by poor memory and concentration, and cataracts, all due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to the date of receipt of his formal or informal claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his requests for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type II. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus and for service connection for hypertension, both on a direct basis.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's chronic renal insufficiency and diabetic nephropathy associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that such conditions have been shown to be manifested by a definite decrease in kidney function.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for pancreatic cancer as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic neuropathy and impotence, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ are denied as there was no pending claim prior to January 8, 2003.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in his reported service in Vietnam and the need to verify his presence there. The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis as a result of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, small and large bowel resection, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and cataracts as residuals of Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link to military service.

The veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are service-connected. Service connection for hepatitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for abnormal blood (hypertriglyceridemia) is also denied as it does not constitute a disability. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted, but chronic renal insufficiency remains unestablished.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for HHD was denied, and his claim for a T/R due to service-connected disabilities was also denied. The RO found that the veteran's HHD is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for a T/R but does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it is a separate issue.