Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and no current medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The veteran died of sepsis due to renal and cardiac failure as a consequence of his diabetes mellitus while hospitalized at the Hospital San Cristobal. The Board concludes that he did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits because he was not properly hospitalized by VA at the time of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the current criteria.

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, with a combined rating of 80% (CAD at 60%, diabetes mellitus at 20%). The decision also addresses the increased ratings for CAD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, requires insulin and a restricted diet. However, regulation of activities is not shown. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings for acne and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of VCAA notification, as well as the need for additional examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied by the RO. The RO found that his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current diabetes mellitus or chloracne to his military service, including any presumed exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions were denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned initial ratings, but the veteran disagreed with these determinations.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no nexus between any service-connected disability and the cause of death.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum available rating. The other claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and it was not caused by any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II was denied prior to April 29, 2002. However, since that date, the disability picture more nearly approximates the requirements for a 40 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board found that there was no evidence of such exposure in Vietnam and thus could not presume it.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and Meniere's disease, finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no positive association between exposure to herbicides and any other condition warranting a presumption of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The case is remanded to determine whether the veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his Schizophrenia alone, or in combination with other non-service-connected disabilities.