Diabetes decisions — 2003

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied in January 1989. The veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is supported by VA treatment records, and the medical nexus supports a finding that the disease was incurred during service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension, but denied all other claims. The veteran's hypertension is now subject to a separate decision on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange and no in-service diagnosis or manifestation of the condition.