Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service, nor may it be presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for hypertension is not warranted as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year after separation from service.,Erectile dysfunction and memory loss are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's currently-shown conditions do not appear related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a current chronic skin disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for further development related to the increased rating for duodenal ulcer.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The claim was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The diabetes claim is denied as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and is unrelated to any injury or disease during service. As a result, the secondary claim for glaucoma also cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as secondary to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims is due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Korea, was denied as there was no evidence of such exposure and the disease did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated by service, and specifically denied presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran served in Vietnam.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 contributed to his death from respiratory failure and emphysema. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board denied the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The Veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange during his service and did not serve in Vietnam.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on housebound status due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. He also meets the age requirement for this benefit.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, finding that his current hearing loss pre-existed service and was not aggravated therein.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for further verification of his alleged exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for nonservice-connected pension and special monthly pension on the basis of need for aid and attendance have been granted, with the effective date set at October 24, 1991, and May 20, 2004 respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, as well as her claim of entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of evidence meeting the statutory requirements.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, and his inverting papilloma is not service connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service.