Diabetes decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's current low back, left leg, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus disabilities did not originate during active service or within one year thereof, and are not otherwise related to service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses is denied as VA facilities were feasibly available and the emergency treatment was not rendered due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis and diabetes mellitus, finding that both conditions are related to the veteran's active duty. Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 60 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, which requires insulin use, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or a respiratory disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service and denied the claim based on a lack of in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which require daily personal health-care services provided by licensed professionals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disorder and diabetes mellitus are service-connected. The left ankle disorder is considered a direct result of an injury in service, while diabetes mellitus did not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death, entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35, and nonservice-connected pension due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's conditions to service or any other compensable basis.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction with deformity, but denied the claims for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The cause of the veteran's death is also found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus granting service connection for the cause of death. As DIC benefits are now granted, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for diabetes. The issues of service connection for hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and erectile dysfunction remain unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service or any exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death (renal failure due to diabetes) was not service-connected. The conditions were first manifested years after service and there is no medical evidence linking them to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for entitlement to separate evaluations for renal disease, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy, secondary to diabetes mellitus, as well as for an increased rating for PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities as of August 2, 2001 and granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability with an effective date of August 2, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and did not find any evidence of radiation exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection based on exposure to ionizing radiation was denied.