Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's initial schedular evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted at 20 percent. The Board found that the current disability does not warrant a higher rating under VA's rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy as claimed due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during service in Korea. The evidence did not show the veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for hepatitis B is pending as it requires additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his diabetic retinopathy and diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are evaluated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary basis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of Vietnam service and thus no presumption of herbicide exposure. The claim is also not granted on a direct basis due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability contributed to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, malaria residuals, and hepatitis residuals were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or exposure to herbicides during his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2, which is presumed for veterans who served in Vietnam. As a result, the cause of the veteran's death is now considered service connected.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for entitlement to special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance due to her lack of physical or mental incapacity requiring care on a regular basis.

The veteran claims that his congestive heart failure is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dental bone loss, including periodontitis, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for dental bone loss as secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied. His diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are noncompensable from April 14, 2003 to January 20, 2006, erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy each receive a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. Therefore, a higher initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, and initial ratings higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and 10 percent for atrial fibrillation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus or atrial fibrillation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for erectile dysfunction and bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims is related to his exposure to Agent Orange while stationed in Korea. However, the RO needs to determine if the veteran was exposed to herbicides along the DMZ in Korea and verify the location of his unit during that time.