Diabetes decisions — 2003

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to any injury or disease incurred in service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for the veteran's diabetes mellitus, resolving all issues related to this condition.

The veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because the evidence did not support a finding that his diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and cardiovascular disorder were caused by VA medical treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 5, 2000, for his total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The decision stated that the effective date was appropriate as it was the date he filed his original claim.

The case is remanded due to incomplete service medical records and the need for a supplemental statement of the case. The veteran also requested a Travel Board hearing, which should be scheduled.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of his exposure to Agent Orange and an additional examination of his right elbow.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as a result of herbicide exposure, is being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA clinical documentation and consideration of all relevant actions taken on his claims.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to new and material evidence. However, the Board found that there is no service-connected disability that caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for emotional instability reaction, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service, including any exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service-connected and denied his claim for pension benefits due to a combined disability rating of less than 100 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, Type II; diabetic retinopathy and hypertension. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's PTSD is associated with a SCUD missile explosion during his service in the Persian Gulf War, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for cause of the veteran's death and denied entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of evidence linking the causes of death to service.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II was granted with a 20 percent evaluation effective from June 1, 2001. The issue of entitlement to an initial schedular and/or extraschedular rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is referred back to the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. As a result, the claim for service connection for both conditions has been denied.