Diabetes decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of their presence in service or within one year of separation. The claim for an earlier effective date for a back disability was also denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated as 60 percent disabling and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the former or revised rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes with bilateral eye disability, infection of lymph nodes, and facial and left-sided paralysis. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a video-conference hearing. The issues include seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure and reopening his claim for residuals of a head injury.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to representation issues and the need to review all evidence, including that of record at the time of prior denial. The issue of TDIU is also being addressed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and left ventricular hypertrophy were denied. The VA examiner found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current medical condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the presence of diabetes mellitus and its relationship to peripheral neuropathy. The claim for PTSD will also be reviewed.

The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions, including senile dementia, require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to qualify for special monthly pension benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since a February 1998 decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an increase in SMC to a higher level.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication due to a failure to consider additional evidence by the RO.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy.

Service connection is denied for inguinal hernia and diabetes mellitus type 1. The claim to reopen the claim for service connection for spontaneous pneumothorax is denied. A compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for schizophrenia was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. His claim for non-service-connected pension was also denied as he did not meet the requirements of being permanently and totally disabled.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current diabetic condition to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA hospitalization or medical treatment, and thus denied the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and denied both claims.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending evidence and the court's decision invalidating certain regulations. The case is now remanded for additional development of medical records.