Diabetes decisions — 2005

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the causes of death to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents (for accrued purposes only). The decision found that arteriosclerotic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and was not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Diabetes mellitus was not listed as a contributing factor in the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 24, 1999, for service connection for cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected hepatitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis, as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, Type I, and low back disability. The veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for low back disability was reopened based on the submission of certain evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes did not permanently worsen as a result of VA treatment for Bell's palsy, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, Diabetes Mellitus Type II (DM II), and a pancreatic disorder, all of which were presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's heart disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO must obtain medical records and provide the veteran with a VA examination.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not found to be service-connected, as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or a direct link to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The conditions listed on the veteran's death certificate as causing his death were not manifested during his period of active duty service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notification and development actions, including verifying the veteran's presence in Vietnam and obtaining all relevant records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, and glaucoma, claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The veteran's right ankle disorder remains at a 20 percent evaluation. Claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy are denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also denied for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, both secondary to diabetes mellitus, is denied. The veteran's right ankle disorder remains at 20 percent evaluation. Service connection for a low back disorder and skin cancer are denied as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death (cardiorespiratory arrest due to diabetes and asthma) was not caused by any incident during service, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus as a residual of Agent Orange exposure during service is denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have active military service in the Republic of Vietnam and thus was not exposed to Agent Orange, making it impossible to grant presumptive service connection. The veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence.