Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new and material evidence. However, it was not established that the condition is related to his military service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin, a restricted diet and regulation of activities. A 40 percent rating is granted for the veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's December 12, 2003 treatment was for a service-connected disability and met the criteria for emergency medical services. As such, payment or reimbursement is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20% from June 8, 1990 to June 5, 1996 and at 40% since September 17, 2004. The Board found that the disability warranted a higher rating based on its severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating greater than 40 percent, as there is no evidence of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for clarification on whether he wishes these issues to be withdrawn. If the veteran does not wish them to be withdrawn, the case will return to the Board for further review.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for his service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of current disability or a causal link to service.,Service connection was granted for epididymitis with testicular atrophy and hypogonadism, but the effective date for the increased rating was not earlier than April 8, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected schizophrenia, and that other conditions listed as significant contributing causes of death were more likely related. The appellant's claim for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance was also denied.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus type I was not incurred in or aggravated during service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to herbicides. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type I with his military service.

The veteran's diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were not found to be related to his military service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The veteran's service connection claim for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, including as due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claim will be reviewed based on the evidence provided, including any potential Agent Orange exposure at Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for burial benefits, increased ratings for a skin disorder and right ankle fracture residuals, and to reopen a claim for service connection for asbestosis.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, as it does not require more than one daily injection of insulin and episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.