Diabetes decisions — 2004

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring daily insulin and a restricted diet, meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, cholecystitis, and bilateral senile cataracts as these conditions were not shown to be related to the veteran's period of active military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, a disorder characterized by diarrhea, and an increased evaluation for hypertension to the RO for clarification and further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that it only warrants a 20 percent evaluation based on the current manifestations of the condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the appellant's claims for special monthly DIC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to her disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, on the basis of presumptive exposure to Agent Orange was granted with an effective date set at May 8, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and incurrence of these diseases may not be presumed. The right eye disorder and/or residuals of a right eye injury are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, and his service connection claim for herbicide exposure-related conditions was also denied due to lack of evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but granted service connection for hypertension. Service connection for asbestosis is not established.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim has been remanded due to the need for further examination and development of evidence.

The Board has expanded the issue to include headaches secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, as well as medications prescribed for these conditions. The claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records from a private physician.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and hepatitis C did not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) because he was not rated totally disabled for at least eight years prior to his death.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA compensation examination to determine the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and any complications associated with it. The RO will also consider whether additional evidence supports an increased disability evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange).

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus may be presumed to have been incurred during his active naval service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is likely caused by his diabetes mellitus rather than his PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies, including failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.