Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA medical opinion based on the consideration of two opinions provided by Dr. Ul-Huq and Dr. Bash, which suggest that inservice weight gain may have caused or contributed substantially or materially to cause the veteran's death, and diabetes mellitus was possibly incurred during military service.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a contemporaneous examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the veteran's heart disease is aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

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

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, and early cataracts.

The Board found that the veteran's HIV, diabetes mellitus, and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The evidence did not establish a clear link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of medical records and clarification of Dr. Biggers' opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide exposure. The claim is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during military service in the Gulf War.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus or PTSD, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, effective December 30, 2001. The Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating for this condition.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection for the veteran's claimed heart disorder and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, hypertension, and IBS. The initial evaluations were assigned based on the severity of each condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year after discharge and the disease is not presumed to have been incurred during service due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the ROIC for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The veteran died in August 1996 due to cardiopulmonary arrest with underlying causes of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The cause(s) of death did not have its onset during active service or any applicable presumptive period, and is not related to any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disability, claimed as coronary artery disease, are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, diabetes as secondary to frostbite, and arthritis as secondary to frostbite is granted.

The Board found that the veteran did not have service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus could not establish herbicide exposure. The evidence also failed to show a direct link between diabetes mellitus and active duty service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus, as well as his claim for a low back disorder. The evidence received since the previous decisions did not provide new or material evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus has been denied as there is no evidence that his prior claims were actually seeking this condition.