Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disability due to jungle fungi of both feet or left lower extremity and bilateral upper extremity lipomas. The VA medical records do not show diabetes mellitus Type II within one year after service discharge, nor is there any competent evidence linking this condition to his period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not show that any of his claimed conditions had onset during or were aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have verified active service in Vietnam, and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The Board also noted that there was no medical evidence or opinion establishing a nexus between any of the veteran's conditions (metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and diabetes mellitus) and his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and dementia due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that these conditions were caused by in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or adaptive equipment due to his service-connected conditions and other factors.

The Board finds that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as the claim was filed after the disability arose.

The veteran seeks a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but the RO did not consider all relevant evidence and needs to obtain additional medical records before proceeding with the claim.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, and no new rating or effective date is provided.

The veteran claims service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus as a residual of herbicidal agent exposure during his military service. The Board has ordered further development to determine if the veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent while in transit through Saigon Airport, and then remanded the case for readjudication.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, increased rating for schizophrenia, initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability were all denied by the Board.

The veteran's death was due to acute cardiopulmonary arrest, but the cause is unknown. The appellant contends that her husband's stress from his prostate cancer and diabetes combined with his cardiovascular disease caused his death. Further development is needed to determine if he had service in Vietnam and whether any presumptions apply.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires oral hypoglycemic agents and a diet restriction, but does not require insulin or regulation of his activities. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, as there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of direct service connection. The appeal was not based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides and no direct link between his service and the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence linking his current condition to exposure to chemicals and solvents in service or any other basis of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 20 percent, as his condition is well-controlled with oral hypoglycemic agents and he does not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.