Diabetes decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, renal failure, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, benign prostatic hypertrophy with bladder outlet obstruction, sexual dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, and hair color change, are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The presumptive provisions for Agent Orange exposure do not apply due to the lack of service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, granting her special monthly pension based on this need.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus Type II prior to June 26, 2002 was denied. For the period from June 26, 2002 onwards, his claim for an increased rating was also denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The case is remanded due to conflicting diagnoses of type I and type II diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not presented, and the conditions did not develop due to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, multiple organ failure due to metastatic pancreatic cancer, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's pancreatic cancer was related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, but denied both his direct service connection claim and his presumptive service connection claim based on herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus or a psychiatric disability due to Agent Orange exposure. The claims were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on insulin use and dietary restrictions.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for direct service connection also failed as there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year after discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a skin disorder, including psoriasis and seborrhea. The veteran's claim was based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, ulcerative colitis, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension as they are not related to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected, as they are due to alcohol abuse and secondary conditions rather than exposure to herbicides or direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as the result of herbicide exposure is being remanded due to insufficient VCAA notice and additional evidentiary development.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in September 2, 2002 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment under VA regulations.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted a disability evaluation of 20 percent effective August 23, 1990. The initial compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy was also granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The effective dates of the granted conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and renal failure status post kidney transplant) are May 8, 2001.