Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I due to new evidence submitted since the August 1996 decision.,However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence that the veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type I, was incurred during active duty.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from November 20, 2003 to November 21, 2003 is granted due to the lack of suitable VA facilities.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for chloracne and diabetes mellitus as no new and material evidence was received.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether he needs or needed to regulate his activities due to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the veteran's in-service stressors and to obtain additional medical records. The case will be returned for these purposes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence linking it to active military service or his diabetes mellitus.,For type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated disabilities, the disability ratings have been granted but not increased beyond what is currently assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and sleep apnea are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's lung-related conditions and diabetes mellitus were not service-connected, nor did he have a pending claim at the time of his death. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death, eligibility to nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and entitlement to accrued benefits.

The Board denied reopening of the previously-denied claims for type II diabetes mellitus and gout, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the veteran's cause of death and his service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals on the issues of initial increased evaluations for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus with impotency and retinopathy.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's death was due to diabetes mellitus type II, which is presumed service-connected based on his service in Vietnam. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for further examination and review. His left shoulder disability remains under appeal, with a request for an orthopedic examination to assess the current level of disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of hypertension, sinusitis, breathing problems, and diabetes mellitus type II on record before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II cannot be earlier than August 27, 1997 as there was no valid claim filed before this date.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to a need for further development. The case is referred back to the RO for compliance with its previous directives.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.