Diabetes decisions — 2001

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, and his diabetes mellitus, hypertension, alcoholic hepatitis, sinusitis, and kidney stones are each rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or pension benefits due to unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including arranging a VA examination to evaluate the severity of the veteran's diabetes mellitus and any associated diabetic complications. The RO is also instructed to consider whether separate ratings under applicable diagnostic codes are warranted if diabetic complications are definitely established.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that the veteran's COPD and heart disease were not incurred in service or due to nicotine dependence incurred there. The law was amended prohibiting such claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumptively related to his military service in Vietnam and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied claims for accrued benefits, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on VA treatment, and hypothetical entitlement to DIC.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus manifested during service and did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service, thus granting service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of supporting medical evidence.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied due to his nonservice-connected lung cancer and diabetes. The case is being remanded to consider the raised claims of service connection for lung cancer and diabetes, which may affect the RH insurance claim.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The medical evidence did not support a finding that his PTSD contributed to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for pterygium of the left eye and service connection for diabetic retinopathy secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The veteran was not granted a compensable rating for his pterygium, and there is no evidence of current diabetic retinopathy.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the claim of residuals of a brain concussion, as there was no showing of current residuals or head injury during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides. The claim for diabetes mellitus is presumed based on herbicide exposure, but further development is needed for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records to determine if the veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were present in service or within one year after service.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which was found to be related to multiple episodes of malaria and quinine treatment during service. The veteran's DEA claim is also addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service is presumed and linking his current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus to this exposure.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of May 15, 1992 for a 100 percent schedular evaluation for the service-connected diabetes mellitus is warranted.