Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board determined that recoupment of the veteran's separation pay in the amount of $24,039.94 is proper for his awards of disability compensation for bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, hearing loss, coronary artery disease, and shortness of breath. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure and noting that there is no record of the veteran having served in Vietnam. The Board also found no competent medical evidence establishing a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and his diabetes mellitus reduction from 40% to 20% has been granted. The claim for an increased rating for hypertension remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus with hypertension and impotence, as the veteran did not have these conditions during or due to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities. The initial ratings assigned were found to be appropriate.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and thrombocytosis were not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange or other chemicals. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain further documentation regarding his alleged service in Vietnam, which could impact the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with onychomycosis and erectile dysfunction is currently manifested by the use of oral medication and a restricted diet. The Board finds that his disability does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II (herbicides) requires insulin and a restricted diet, as well as regulation of activities. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating are met.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding no conclusive evidence linking it to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I or II. The medical evidence did not show a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II and there was no indication that the veteran's inservice gum disease was an initial manifestation of diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic dermatitis on the basis that these conditions were aggravated by the veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, and the right lower extremity were denied as not related to his military service.,Effective August 30, 1977, service connection was granted for hearing loss.

The veteran's death was caused by cardio-respiratory arrest due to coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did they contribute substantially or materially to the cause of his death. Additionally, the appellant is not eligible for Survivors and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits as her husband's disability was not rated 100% disabling at the time of his death.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus on a direct basis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, fibroid uterus, and total hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries. However, the claims must be remanded due to incomplete medical records and further development is needed.