Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied. His claims for headaches and macular degeneration were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (heart disorder), warts, lesions of the eyes, hemorrhoids, bilateral pes planus, and erectile dysfunction were all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus was denied, and his disability rating for laryngeal cancer residuals was not restored to 100% as requested. The Veteran is currently rated at 20% for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as he did not file his claim within one year of the liberalizing law that allows presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's COPD, diabetes, congestive heart failure, vascular problems, back pain, rib pain, and perforated pancreas are not the result of VA treatment. The Board finds that these disabilities were not caused by or the result of the March 2002 coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, any injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The causes of his death - respiratory arrest, brain cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension - were not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as a result of herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claimed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have in-service exposure to herbicides and thus could not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus or hypertension on a presumptive basis. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since active service, leading to denial of both claims.

The Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or a heart disorder that is related to his service, including as due to participation in Project 112. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for diabetes mellitus was granted and assigned a 20 percent evaluation from February 20, 2001. A subsequent increase to 40 percent was granted effective November 14, 2006. The Veteran's shell fragment wounds were rated as non-compensable prior to August 30, 2002 and compensable thereafter.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus during or within one year after service, and there is no medical evidence indicating that the Veteran's current diabetes may be linked to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravates his heart disease, and thus grants service connection for heart disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of previously denied service connection claims were evaluated. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was not granted, as the evidence did not show restrictions or complications warranting a higher evaluation. Service connection for PTSD and bilateral knee disorder was reopened based on new evidence, but no new rating was assigned due to lack of compensable criteria. The Veteran's claim for residuals of bilateral leg disability remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability or his active service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diabetes or end stage renal disease, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The appeal was denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension, as this was not adequately addressed in the previous examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, and no new rating or effective date is provided.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, finding no credible evidence of exposure to herbicides in service and no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to herbicides and toxic chemicals.