Diabetes decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran does not have service-connected diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, or hypertension. The claims for these conditions are denied as they lack legal merit.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, low back disability secondary to left ankle sprain, and bilateral knee disabilities secondary to left ankle sprain. The veteran was assigned a 30% initial rating for PTSD.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and did not serve in Vietnam, thus denying service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and for non-service-connected death pension benefits, finding no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The VA granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and assigned a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by any incident of military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary conditions due to exposure to chemicals during his service aboard the USS Granville S. Hall, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to chemical exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as there was no pending claim at the time of her husband's death, and the cause of his death (coronary artery disease) did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's personnel records reflect he was stationed in Thailand from September to December 1968, where he received the Vietnam Service Medal. However, there is no evidence of actual service or visitation in Vietnam. As a result, the veteran is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notification and a need for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's cause of death was staphylococcal sepsis due to bacterial peritonitis, with other significant conditions including chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by his service exposure to Agent Orange, leading to a grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes insipidus, which was previously denied in December 1962 and reopened on new evidence received after July 15, 2002, is granted. The effective date remains at July 15, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining terminal hospital records and an opinion on whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for irritable stomach and did not address the effective date claim related to diabetes insipidus.

The Board found that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam, and thus was not eligible for presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. For PTSD, the claim was denied as there was no verified stressor.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded for further action.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and the absence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms after service.

The Board found that the appellant did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to herbicide agents was denied.