Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a connection between the claimed disabilities and service. The appellant's diabetes mellitus (including diabetic retinopathy) and bilateral cataracts with pseudophakia and glaucoma were not present in service or proximate thereto.

The veteran was found to be permanently and totally disabled due to non-service-connected conditions, requiring aid and attendance of another person. The claim is granted.

The veteran claims compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for vision loss due to optic atrophy, diabetes mellitus, bilateral cataracts, and astigmatism allegedly caused by VA treatment in May 2002. The case is being remanded for further development of the medical records and an opinion regarding causation.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left elbow disability and the reopening of his diabetes mellitus with related kidney complications claim. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and declined to reopen the claim of entitlement to headaches secondary to a head injury. The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and there was no evidence of chronic or recurrent headaches in service.

The veteran died due to asphyxia from fresh water drowning. Diabetes was listed as a condition contributing to death but not the underlying cause. The service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension do not warrant higher disability ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not present during service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise shown to be related to her military service. Therefore, she is denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, teeth problems (due to trauma or osteomyelitis), and a low back disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetic nephropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and low blood pressure with chronic dizziness and lightheadedness. The decision was based on a finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service, and thus could not grant presumptive service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus or prostate cancer. The appellant's hypertension was also denied as it is not related to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rates for improved pension benefits from 2001 to 2003. His claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure is pending due to additional development required, and his claims for psychiatric disability are also pending.

The veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Board also found that the veteran's hypertension and pancreatitis are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam and was not exposed to Agent Orange. Therefore, his claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, warranting a full grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to a service-connected condition. The Board also determined that the veteran's PTSD did not cause or chronically worsen his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's hypertension to service or any incident therein. The onset of his diabetes preceded that of his hypertension, and there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between the two conditions. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was denied.

The veteran's Type 2 diabetes mellitus has required insulin use, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities since March 20, 2002. The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for this condition.