Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertensive vascular disease is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus was granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent effective February 18, 2005. The current appeal is about whether the Veteran should receive a higher rating based on his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to clarify his exposure to herbicides during service and determine if he served in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not use insulin to regulate his diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus with headaches, impaired vision and boils (including as secondary to coronary artery disease) are being remanded. His claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for peripheral vascular disease is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to an 80% rating, but the Board finds that they do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I was denied as there is no causal link between his current diagnosis and any incident of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have onset during active service, was not otherwise related to his active service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and service personnel records to confirm his presence in the Republic of Vietnam. A compensation and pension examination will be scheduled to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, may be etiologically related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining official documentation of the ships' locations in the official waters of Vietnam during his periods of service on the USS Walke and USS Hoel.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the cause of death, and thus denied all claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, Type II, was incurred during his period of active military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected condition, including his first-degree atrioventricular block and pre-existing COPD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation.

The Board denied the claim of dependency and indemnity compensation due to a lack of evidence showing that VA medical treatment caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were granted, effective September 15, 2009. The diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, the peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities at 20 percent each, and the TDIU claim was established.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for service connection is denied.