Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not associated with his service or diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been addressed. The RO has granted a 10% rating for the residuals of a fracture of the left 5th metatarsal head effective December 17, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and did not manifest during the first year after discharge from service. The evidence does not support a finding of presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right arm impairment, and depression. The claim of service connection for floppy mitral valve syndrome was reopened but not granted. The claim of service connection for left knee disability was not granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and gout, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, eye disorder, and dental disorder. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's spouse's request for apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits due to the veteran reasonably discharging his responsibility for spousal support.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if the veteran was exposed to herbicides during service. The claims for service connection will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as secondary to exposure to herbicides, is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's schizophrenia did not cause or contribute to his death, and since he was receiving a total disability rating due to service-connected conditions for less than ten years prior to his death, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and an appropriate statement of the case on the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the toes (claimed as stiff toes), degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left foot with tarsal tunnel syndrome, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to his military service. Cold injuries of the left ear, other than cancer of the left ear, were also found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and a shell fragment wound of the right leg, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher initial ratings based on current symptomatology.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional medical records.

The veteran is seeking to establish service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer did not have their onset during active service or within one year following discharge, nor are they related to any in-service disease or injury. The claim for service connection is denied.

The case is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination and analysis regarding service connection claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection and did not grant a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus.