Diabetes decisions — 2003

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral osteoarthritis of the hips, both claimed as due to cold exposure during service, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for impotency due to diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or show in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus have been granted, with a 40% rating for diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for impotence has been withdrawn by the veteran.

The veteran died of chronic renal failure due to diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that the service-connected psychoneurosis did not contribute substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed diabetes mellitus is a continuation of the disease noted in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a paralyzed right eye, seizure disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support these claims as they are not related to military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims is secondary to a gunshot wound to the stomach with pancreas involvement. The case has been remanded due to additional evidence submitted after the initial decision.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine and diabetes mellitus, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted the veteran's pension effective August 24, 2000, finding that the earliest date of receipt of a claim for entitlement to pension is August 24, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia status post vagectomy and hemigastrectomy, as well as his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for each condition effective May 3, 2000.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as no service records indicate any heart disease or diabetes during his lifetime.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right leg amputation is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of gunshot wounds to the right buttock with sciatic nerve.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, including under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(2), was denied due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's ASHD, DM, and bilateral leg disorders are unrelated to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

Your case has been sent back to the Regional Office for further development and consideration of your claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for DM was received on July 7, 1999. The VA outpatient treatment records reflect a diagnosis of DM as early as July 31, 1998. Since this record was dated within one year of the veteran's claim, an effective date of July 7, 1999, and no earlier, is assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty service and have denied all of his claims.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied as his service-connected right leg amputation does not preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.