Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and single vessel coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction, both of which were determined to be not related to his participation in Project 112 and SHAD testing.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and is not related to the service-connected hypertension. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluation for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy from 10% to 0%, effective September 13, 2005, was proper.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current headaches and dizziness.

The Veteran's bilateral retinopathy is reasonably related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and has been granted as secondary service connection. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and an additional liver disability due to lack of credible evidence supporting these conditions. The Board found that there was no in-service stressor related to combat or exposure to herbicides, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the Veteran did not meet the threshold criteria of having been in receipt of a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in a 40 percent disability rating. The Board also granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his inability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Board found no additional type II diabetes mellitus or hypertension disability as a result of VA medical treatment and denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, angina, and angioedema. The claim for secondary service connection for Meniere's disease was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have protein C deficiency or an eye disorder due to his military service, and these conditions are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA records from Tuskegee, Alabama. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions related to diabetes mellitus are being reviewed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that would warrant an increased rating, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accident as secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for TDIU was also denied. The cause of death determination found that myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease resulted in the Veteran's death with peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular accident contributing.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetic retinopathy are not related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and could not be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to chemical dioxins (Agent Orange) or synthetic pesticides.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy was withdrawn prior to the issuance of a decision. The remaining issues regarding increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right upper and bilateral lower extremities are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of his exposure history and medical records.