Diabetes decisions — 2005

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, or a skin disorder that is service-connected. The evidence did not establish an in-service stressor for PTSD and there was no medical diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during active duty or within one year post-service. The Board also determined there was no official record of Vietnam service, and thus no basis for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastrointestinal disability, characterized as diabetic gastroparesis and a hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, is not associated with his active military service. The claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, which is presumed due to service exposure, contributed substantially or materially to his death from respiratory disease. The medical evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of its onset in or within one year after service and noting that the veteran did not serve on land in Vietnam. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus is not a disease associated with exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is service-connected, and he is entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his diabetes mellitus. The evaluations for both right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also granted.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 with diabetic nephropathy and microalbuminuria is currently rated at 20 percent. Separate noncompensable evaluations are assigned for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction as a residual of diabetes.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to her mobility, independence in daily living activities, and lack of visual impairment or blindness.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's diabetes mellitus and breast cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil due to Agent Orange exposure and awarded a 10 percent rating. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also granted, but with no effective date assigned as it was received on March 1, 2001.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a heart disorder.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from the VAMC in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The VA has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, which is not requiring insulin and does not necessitate a restricted diet or regulation of activities, warrants an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, depressive disorder, vision impairment, a right ankle disorder, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of the condition in service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bladder and prostate cancer as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange during active military service in the Republic of Vietnam.