Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between his military service and his current condition. The Board also noted that he did not have documented exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy based on herbicide exposure. The veteran's claims were not granted as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Rating Schedule.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's cause of death was pulmonary fibrosis, which is not service-connected. Diabetes mellitus, type II, also contributed to his death but was not related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature of his current disability.

The Board finds that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, meeting the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge. The Board also noted conflicting statements from the veteran and his family regarding when he was diagnosed with diabetes.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, with diabetic retinopathy was granted service connection and assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective July 9, 2001. The rating was increased to 40 percent beginning January 6, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent effective from June 6, 1996. The decision also notes that prior to this date, the disability was rated under an older set of criteria which allowed for a 60 percent rating.

The veteran is entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of his active service.

The RO has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and assigned a 20 percent rating, effective July 2001. The veteran is appealing for an increased rating to more than 60 percent.

The VA has denied a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II as the evidence does not support a need for a higher disability rating based on insulin use or hospitalizations.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus was granted, and the effective date for this grant is set at April 17, 2001.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated during his military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Board found no evidence of Agent Orange exposure while the veteran served in Thailand.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of diabetes.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, as a residual of exposure to herbicides during service, is denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the regulatory presumption of active service in the Republic of Vietnam and thus was not presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during service. With no such exposure, service connection on a presumptive basis under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) cannot be granted. The claim is also denied on a direct basis as there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current diabetes mellitus to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, and denied his requests for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, clinical neuropathy of the lower extremities, and arterial hypertension.