Diabetes decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed respiratory, gastrointestinal, arthritis, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus conditions are not service-connected. The veteran's claim for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for liver disease is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the veteran's claims of service connection for nervous and skin disorders.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD, a service-connected condition, was a contributory cause of his death from diabetes and heart disease. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the veteran requesting withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during his active service or due to any in-service injury, and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence did not relate any current eye conditions to his service injury.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The initial evaluations were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including as a result of an undiagnosed illness. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to his active duty period.

The Board denied the veteran's request to waive recovery of an overpayment of $2,000 in non-service connected pension benefits due to his fault in not reporting concurrent receipt of Social Security benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DM, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The effective date of the grant of service connection for DM was not addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was manifested by repeated hypoglycemic reactions and other severe complications, warranting a 60 percent evaluation under the old criteria of Diagnostic Code 7913 for the period from December 30, 1988, to June 1, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development.

The Board has dismissed all claims except for the TDIU, as the veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues regarding service connection for congestive heart failure and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is currently on hold while VA conducts additional medical evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss claims due to potential changes in severity since previous evaluations. The RO will conduct these examinations, review the claims file, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues regarding service connection for sarcoidosis of the brain and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is currently remanded for additional evidence collection and examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected diabetes associated with herbicide exposure, diabetic gastroparesis, and diabetic neuritis of the hands and lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting medical examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain will also be addressed.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, effective from October 23, 2000. The decision was based on a previously denied claim and the veteran's status as a Nehmer class member.