Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate due to her multiple conditions, including right arm lymphedema, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development due to VCAA compliance issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus with sexual dysfunction, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence of Agent Orange exposure during service and concluded that the diseases did not manifest within one year of service separation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus II is not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, was not service-connected and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and lumbar disc disease are currently rated at the lowest possible levels under VA rating criteria. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the veteran's need for insulin or restricted diet.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated as a result of service, and denied his claim.

The VA examiner found no evidence of a direct link between the veteran's current neurological disabilities and the incidents in 1995, thus denying compensation for both conditions.,There is insufficient medical evidence to support the veteran's claims that his neurological disabilities are related to the blood pressure cuff incident or the IV site infection.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that neither arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease nor diabetes mellitus were related to service and did not aggravate each other.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a member of the Board at the RO.

The veteran died of myocardial infarction due to or as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. The cause of death is not service-connected.,Basic eligibility requirements for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 are not met.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, heart disorder, and diabetes were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examination reports.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the October 1996 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of death, as the evidence then of record was consistent with VA laws and regulations. The effective date for DIC benefits remains March 7, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a de novo review of his claims by a Decision Review Officer, an Adjudication Officer or a Veterans Service Center Manager.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after service. The examiner also noted that it is unlikely that the veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a foot disability, gastroesophageal cancer, and diabetes mellitus as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The veteran's National Guard service was not shown to be related to any current disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling a hearing, providing proper VCAA notice, obtaining additional records, and readjudicating all issues on appeal.