Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, claiming it is due to exposure to herbicides in service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and determine the validity of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that the appellant's current conditions are aggravated by his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed back, right hip, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 19, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The RO granted TDIU with an effective date of May 19, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a statement of the case with respect to service connection for diabetic retinopathy, and the Veteran has been given 60 days to file a substantive appeal. The issue is now pending again.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, headaches, and obesity are all service-connected due to exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran set foot in Vietnam during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the required elements of persistent avoidance and numbing of general responsiveness, which are essential components of PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to decide the claim of service connection for hypertension, as it may be secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 or coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 30, 2005 for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim. The Veteran's low back strain was rated at 40 percent disabling and the Board found that the rating assigned was appropriate based on the current level of disability.,The Veteran's low back strain was rated at 40 percent disabling, which was continued from his original service connection in August 1979. The claim for an increased rating was denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accident were not incurred in active service.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. However, there is no specific effective date assigned as these conditions were already service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the knees, and peripheral neuropathy. The case is being remanded due to scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's heart condition and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of a scheduled Board hearing. The case will be returned for rescheduling and confirmation of the Veteran's current address.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.