Diabetes decisions — 2007

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20% for the veteran's diabetes mellitus, as it does not require him to regulate his activities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or link between the conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims have been remanded due to technical issues preventing the obtaining of a transcript from his hearing. He is entitled to another hearing via videoconference.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance, nor specially adapted housing or a home adaptation grant.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and there is no current evidence of residuals from malaria or peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35. The Board found that diabetes mellitus, hypertension, migraine headaches, and impotence were service-connected but did not find them to be the primary or contributory causes of the veteran's death from hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and hypertension, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's time in active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for an increased evaluation for diabetic retinopathy remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an upper respiratory condition, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's service connection claim for the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence submitted since the December 2000 decision. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at 30% effective April 4, 2005. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder is pending and will be remanded. The left knee degenerative joint disease has been rated as 10%. The veteran's higher rating claims for coronary artery disease are denied.

The veteran's cause of death, coronary artery disease, was determined to be related to service-connected PTSD. Given the evidence and resolving any doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board finds that service connection for the veteran's cause of death is warranted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability was evaluated at various levels of severity prior to September 1, 2005. The Board found that the current evaluation did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further action, including consideration of additional evidence and a video-conference hearing.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus, due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, was denied as the earliest medical evidence of diabetes did not predate June 25, 2002.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to her disabilities not meeting the criteria for such benefits.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and related issues are being remanded for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the condition does not require regulation of activities.