Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied an increased initial rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the need for insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence does not warrant higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, sinusitis, and residuals of a nose injury due to lack of current disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as his initial claim was received more than one year after the effective date of the regulation authorizing presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to disability compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his right hand injury, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or VA care.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus and its complications including peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy. The evidence does not support a finding of service origin or continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, standing alone, does not require regulation of activities and therefore does not warrant a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction, an effective date prior to January 12, 2001 for service connection of erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance during the period from May 1, 1996, to October 1, 1997 are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and counseling records from Turkey. The veteran's claim for major depressive disorder is being considered as new and material evidence was sought in relation to his diabetes mellitus claim.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and skin disability, both claimed as residuals of exposure to Agent Orange, are denied because the evidence does not show such conditions were incurred during or aggravated by service. The claim for hearing loss was previously denied but new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and considering all evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his service and the condition. The Board also noted that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam or any other location where herbicide exposure could be presumed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, back disability, and transverse myelitis were denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on insulin use or dietary restrictions. The veteran's activities are limited by other conditions such as degenerative joint disease and neuropathy.

Service connection granted for hypertension with an effective date of January 24, 2003.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and denied all claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need for additional VCAA notice.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 2002 for the grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) cannot be granted as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU at any time before June 26, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service in Korea raises a doubt as to exposure to dioxin spraying in the area of the DMZ, and it is also likely that he had brief service in Vietnam which collaterally presumes his exposure to Agent Orange. The aggregate credible evidence of record raises a doubt as to a causal relationship between Agent Orange exposure in service and the veteran's subsequent development of diabetes mellitus, Type II.