Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and a malignant tumor. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and evidence collection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a disability manifested by swollen testicles, and angioedema as secondary to Agent Orange exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within the presumptive period following service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, finding that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his military service and therefore presumed to have been exposed. As a result, he is entitled to presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected cold injury residuals, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his military service is presumed. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, and a cervical spine disability were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II based on its presumptive relationship to in-service gestational diabetes. Service connection was also established for the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and verifying service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not service-connected due to being related to pancreatitis, and his kidney problems are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence. The effective date claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no competent medical nexus indicating its onset in service or secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension and heart disabilities are also denied as there is no credible evidence linking them to service, including service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus has been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition being aggravated during service. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not granted due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant and financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete information and evidence, including a need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development. The issue of whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen a claim for PTSD remains on hold.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's conditions to his service-connected condition or any other causal relationship.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II has been manifested by the need for insulin and dietary restrictions but physical activity has not been regulated. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remain at 10 percent, diabetes mellitus is rated 20 percent disabling, and PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating.