Diabetes decisions — 2004

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims was caused by his in-service exposure to herbicides. The RO has been instructed to obtain a copy of the ship's log for the U.S.S. Biddle during relevant periods and to request any private treatment records from Drs. Birdman and Gold.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's condition required dietary restrictions and insulin but not regulation of activities. The claim was based on direct service connection.

The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver prior to July 2, 2001 and a rating greater than 60 percent from July 2, 2001. The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and thyroid disorder are found to be proximately due to or the result of service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a visual disorder, and carotid artery disease. The appeals were decided on the merits without considering any presumptive or secondary theories.

The veteran's service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus, including due to exposure to Agent Orange, is denied as there was no actual service or visitation in the Republic of Vietnam and no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed service in Vietnam, which could trigger a presumption of service connection. The RO must also seek verification from the Marine Corps Historical Center regarding any combat stressors during his active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not attributable to any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his diabetes mellitus claim, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board found that the cause of death was dementia, which is not service-connected. The veteran's PTSD did not contribute to his death or any other condition contributing to it.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The Board concluded that there was insufficient medical evidence to support a link between the veteran's claimed disorder and his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining the veteran's service medical records and deferred further action on the claims until those records are obtained.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a left upper leg gunshot wound, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The RO previously denied these claims in September 1991 without reopening them due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus type II and associated bilateral eye diabetic retinopathy remain unchanged, with the RO remanding the case to consider further evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that no service-connected disability contributed to his death. The veteran died from cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, but these conditions were not present during service or within one year after service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of neck and shoulder injuries, chest wall injury with pneumothorax, fractured left rib, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as it was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of carcinoma of the pancreas and diabetes mellitus are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam and meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy. The RO has requested additional medical records to support these claims.