Diabetes decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's death was caused by a myocardial infarction, which is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the veteran had no pending claims at the time of his death.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral diabetic retinopathy, effective June 30, 2004. The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with nephropathy was already rated at 20 percent prior to this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran needs his spouse to administer his daily medications due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly loss of vision. The veteran's spouse would not be able to do so without instructions from a pharmacist and/or physician, necessitating regular contact with them. Without this care, he would require hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during his active duty in Vietnam. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or hypertension within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and his service in Vietnam. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain deck logs from the USS NEW JERSEY for the relevant period, verify the veteran's alleged 'brown water' service, and obtain all outstanding VA medical records.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected neurosis (conversion reaction) does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his inability to care for himself, protect himself from hazards, and be housebound due to non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and increased ratings for his bilateral hip and knee strains. The veteran's hypertension was assigned a 10% rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, left hip disability, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no new and material evidence presented to reopen these claims, and that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that insulin or other treatments were required.

The Board denied service connection for flat feet with fallen arches, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The decision found no causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent rating, as it requires insulin and a restricted diet. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing service treatment records, private audiological examination reports, and VA treatment records. The veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are currently under review.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vision loss, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disorder are remanded due to the need to determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent.,Both conditions are not shown to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus is without legal merit.

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

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his period of service and could not be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of diabetes during service or within one year post-service.