Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and other pertinent medical records. The claims will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected progressive small lymphocytic lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which were linked to his exposure to hazardous materials at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station during service. As a result, the claim for DIC benefits is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide steps necessary for verification of herbicide exposure and reach a credibility determination on statements submitted by the Veteran and his fellow service members.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded again for the evaluation of his diabetes mellitus and service connection for erectile dysfunction, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and residuals of a stab wound to the right wrist as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure in Vietnam. The case will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, and a lung disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's active service or any incident therein.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and a cardiovascular disorder, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that any potential exposure to herbicides did not apply due to his overseas service in England and the Philippines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not related to his service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition or a condition that is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The appellant has not established that she had an unadjudicated claim for accrued benefits at the time of her husband's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use of both lower extremities, blindness in both eyes, or loss of use of one upper extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and he is not in need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 40 percent effective as of February 13, 2009. The condition has been characterized by the use of insulin and a restricted diet since then.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his service connection claims, including verifying herbicide exposure and obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; cardiovascular disability; cataracts; and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that these conditions were not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, finding that the Veteran requires assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, housework, shopping, and preparing food.

The Board denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred from September 2, 2007 to September 7, 2007 as the Veteran was clinically stable and could have been transferred to a VA facility after initial emergency room treatment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, left knee internal derangement, and right knee internal derangement were denied. The evidence did not show that the disabilities warranted a higher rating under the applicable criteria.