Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on his military service.

The Board has determined that further medical evaluation is needed to determine if the veteran's diabetes mellitus contributed to his death from septic shock. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the veteran's amputation of the left second toe was not caused by VA care, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have hypertension or residuals of a stroke that are related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for type II diabetes mellitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatomegaly. The veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his medical records and examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and for ratings in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease prior to May 28, 2004, and for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease effective from May 28, 2004. The veteran's claim for service connection was reopened on new evidence, but the Board found no nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability, finding that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the appellant's diabetes mellitus did not pre-exist his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from April 12 to July 14, 1992. The Board also determined that the condition was not incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities were denied. The initial disability ratings assigned for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic nephropathy, and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were all found to be inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and its related conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetic neuropathy of the hands and feet, which is a result of disease or injury incurred in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, any service-connected disability. The causes of death listed on his death certificate (cardio-respiratory arrest, peptic ulcer, diabetes, and urinary tract infection) are not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression, an itching condition, skin cancer, and refractive error and/or presbyopia (claimed as bad eyesight) have been denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type I, hypertension, and renal disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any incident therein.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and the condition meets the criteria for a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during active duty and thus not meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's conditions, including hypertension, tinnitus, hearing loss, prostatitis, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The RO will also review the expanded record and readjudicate the issues on appeal.