Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, associated with herbicide exposure does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating greater than 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected rheumatic fever residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for nerve damage of the left hand is pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's conditions do not render him permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance, as he can walk unaided with the help of a cane. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the award of special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety and depression are service-connected as they are related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran is entitled to compensation under Section 1151 for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, which he claims was caused by VA medical treatment. The Board found that the failure of VA to timely diagnose and treat his diabetes exacerbated his diabetic neuropathy.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not service-connected and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of July 10, 2002, one year before he filed his claim for TDIU. As a result, the effective date for TDIU is assigned to July 10, 2002.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including a VA examination for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and eye disabilities. The appeal will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded to the RO for further development, including consideration of additional VA outpatient treatment records and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with background diabetic retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation of his service-connected conditions, including cardiovascular disease, urinary dysfunction, skin blisters, a 'bone infection' disorder involving the feet and jaw, respiratory disorders, and 'diabetic frozen joint syndrome'.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore is not entitled to presumptive service connection for his respiratory disorders or diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The claims are denied.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and did not manifest within a year following separation from service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection to active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and impotence have been granted. The current ratings are 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, 20 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and noncompensable for impotence.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy or diabetic retinopathy, and thus denied both claims.