Diabetes decisions — 2004

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, and he was granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 as a result of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection for a colon disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, low back disorder (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), hypertension, edema of the feet, ankles, hands, abdomen, and face, diabetes mellitus, abnormal laboratory findings, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, liver disability (to include cirrhosis), respiratory (lung) disability, osteoarthritis of the major and minor joints, eye disability, tremors of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, Meniere's syndrome, headaches with dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness, chronic Candida, low back pain with pain radiating into the hips (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), an acquired hamstring disorder, an acquired bilateral hip disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral elbow disorder. However, service connection is not established for any of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for diabetes mellitus and hepatitis C are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a definitive medical diagnosis of the veteran's diabetes mellitus and ensuring full compliance with notification requirements.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability, and denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and ensuring all medical evidence is considered.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination by an endocrinologist.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including notification of the need to submit new and material evidence in support of her appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA medical records, including those from the University of Southern Alabama in 1972 or 1973. The claims for a higher rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus and for service connection for hepatitis C will be reconsidered.

The Board has ordered the RO to search for the appellant's original claims file and service records, as well as obtain treatment records from NorthEast Community Hospital. The appeal will be remanded for further review after these actions are completed.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, and hepatitis A/B due to exposure to herbicides. The cause of death was attributed to pancreatic cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure are also being considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no direct or presumptive service connection due to lack of evidence and because the veteran did not serve in Vietnam during the designated period.

The VA denied compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a diabetic ulcer of the left foot, claimed to have resulted from VA treatment in August and September 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which do not meet the criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any condition incurred or aggravated during service. The Board also found that none of the conditions contributing to his death were related to active duty.