Diabetes decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Oklahoma City and Fayetteville VAMCs using both of the veteran's Social Security numbers. The veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond after these records are obtained.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as it falls under the presumptive provisions due to his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Board finds 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 Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The issue remains on the substantive merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and chloracne due to exposure to Agent Orange, finding no evidence of in-service exposure or a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, as it was unclear if the veteran served in Vietnam and there is no evidence of Agent Orange use in Thailand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a skin disorder, hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, bladder disorder, retinal detachment, bilateral cataracts, and loss of eyesight, all claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and thus denied presumptive service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, and hypertension due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for aid and attendance began on March 18, 1997, and awarded an effective date of that date for special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, lumbosacral strain, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The other issues were not addressed as they are remanded.

The Board found that the veteran did not have peripheral neuropathy or hypertension in service, and these conditions are not related to his diabetes. Therefore, he was denied service connection for both disorders.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertension.

The Board finds that the evidence does not demonstrate that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely due to his service-connected disabilities, and therefore, entitlement to TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it requires insulin and restricted diet but no regulation of activities or complications.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a bilateral shoulder condition. The claims for service connection of type II diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and hypertension have been denied as these conditions are not related to military service.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's diagnosed conditions to his chemical exposure during service. The case is being remanded for further development of records from the VA medical center in Dallas, Texas.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including heart disease, thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus, and cataracts, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection either. As such, service connection was denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date as a matter of law. The claim for diabetes was granted with an effective date of March 27, 1998.