Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and liver and pancreas disorders due to lack of evidence showing causation.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the arms and legs, and bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy were denied. The veteran was also denied service connection for a stroke secondary to his diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, headaches, and a low back disorder, all claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The appeals were based on presumptive service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no in-country service or visitation in Vietnam and thus no presumptive exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found that the current diagnosis of diabetes did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The veteran also does not qualify for special monthly compensation at a rate in excess of that authorized by 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(l).

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death is not service-connected and that DIC benefits are also denied.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions are no more than mild.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at a 40 percent rating, which is higher than the current 20 percent rating. The evidence shows that his diabetes now requires him to regulate his activities due to hypoglycemic reactions.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, with diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, does not warrant a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and cardiac disease have been denied as there is no evidence associating these conditions with his active military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the service-connected bronchiectasis contributed substantially to the veteran's death, as it was a material cause of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left eye pterygium does not warrant a compensable evaluation as it only manifests dry eye with no evidence of loss of vision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, vision loss, and diabetes were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions related to military service. Additionally, the claim for degenerative joint disease of the knees and a back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, gall bladder disease, and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is currently pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling an in-person hearing before a Veterans' Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's service-connected prostatitis does not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.