Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a request to U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) to investigate whether the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange at Webb Air Force Base in Texas.

The veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. However, he does not have PTSD or residuals of a head injury resulting from his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The veteran's death was caused by diabetes mellitus, which he had a 100% rating for since December 13, 1965. However, the veteran did not have a total disability rating for eight continuous years prior to his death.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for diabetic retinopathy, effective April 7, 2004.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied DIC and DEA benefits. The veteran died from a myocardial infarction, but his service records are unavailable.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his diabetes mellitus likely contributed to his demise.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sinusitis cannot be granted as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to COPD, as there was no evidence linking COPD to service. The Board also found that diabetes and hypertension were not related to service or contributed to the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for psoriasis, Type II diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, and generalized arthritis are being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran died in November 2001 due to multiple conditions, including acute respiratory failure, community acquired pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, type II, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, ischemic heart disease, and senility. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted these evaluations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus and malaria due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his period of service in Vietnam. The claims for residuals of a head injury scar and fever are denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for pulmonary tuberculosis and service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peptic ulcer disease, all of which were secondary to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective June 13, 2005, due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of its onset during military service or within a presumptive period.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were granted, with the diabetes mellitus claim receiving a 40% evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death, accrued benefits, and nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability or entitlement to these benefits.