Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension, finding that hypertension was not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date claim for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims is related to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving at a naval air station in Atsugi, Japan. The Board has ordered additional development of the claim, including obtaining records from the VA Medical Center and confirming the nature of any herbicide agent exposure during the veteran's service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service in Vietnam is presumed, and he has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service, and therefore is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims of secondary service connection for diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension with renal insufficiency are denied as they are premised on a presumed service-connected disability.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, which is currently rated at 60 percent. The case has been remanded to the RO for additional development including a new VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking them to his in-service motor vehicle accident and subsequent brain syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, renal kidney disease, brain damage, a heart condition, a bilateral knee condition, and residuals of calcaneal stress fracture due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral deep vein thrombosis was denied. However, his claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was granted and rated at 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence of service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus denied presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of residuals of a fracture of the left fibula, service connection for hernia, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral eye and foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence to support the assertions made.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of March 14, 2002. The RO considered the January 1995 SSA award letter as a pending claim for TDIU and determined that the earliest date entitlement arose is October 19, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would warrant a presumption of service connection. The veteran was not shown to have PTSD as a result of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service or to his service-connected condition.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, may not be presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide exposure, and therefore denied service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current diagnoses of type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease were not related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, but he did require assistance with daily activities and protection from hazards due to his condition. Therefore, special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is granted.