Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death as there was insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran had service in Vietnam, and even if he did, the preponderance of the evidence is against the finding that it caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and residuals of a heart attack as they were not shown to be related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis of the bilateral hips and knees, neuropathy of the right and left hand, sleep apnea, and PTSD were withdrawn by the appellant prior to promulgation of a decision.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence pertinent to the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a skin disorder as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during active service, and the competent medical evidence did not support a finding that either condition was related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of prostate surgery, diabetes mellitus, a respiratory disease (COPD), and hypothyroidism as they were not related to the Veteran's service. The veteran was also found not entitled to a TDIU.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The veteran was granted a 40 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus from May 24, 2001, to January 11, 2003.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus and diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange in service, is remanded for further development.

The Board grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease as the evidence did not establish a relevant injury in service or that any of these conditions were manifested within one year after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, as there is no evidence of record that it was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development to verify the Veteran's service in Vietnam and to provide appropriate VCAA notice.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange).

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, skin cancer, epilepsy, sleep apnea, cataracts, and partial blindness as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's period of active duty or any claimed in-service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that a preponderance of the evidence supports a conclusion that his condition is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to April 22, 2008, and increased to 50 percent from that date. No initial compensable rating was granted for diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.