Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service personnel records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's application for Supplemental Service Disabled Veterans' (SRH) Insurance was denied because he did not have a RH insurance policy in effect at the time of his death, and thus eligibility for SRH insurance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1922A could not be established.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated medical records, and further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and requires insulin for control. The Board finds that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted as of April 21, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on the aggravation of his hypertension by diabetes mellitus and assigning separate ratings for the knee and hip components of his right femur disability.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus or a right knee disability incurred in service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of prior service and a VA examination to determine the relationship between his hip conditions and diabetes mellitus and any active service.

The Veteran died in May 2006 from multiple organ failure due to pneumonia. His service records do not show any exposure to herbicides or other conditions that could be linked to his death. The Board finds no evidence of a service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on November 24, 2006 at Ocean Springs Hospital are denied as the treatment was not authorized by VA and the Veteran had other insurance coverage.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service. The Veteran served on ships off the coast of Vietnam but did not step foot in Vietnam itself.

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

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 1971 rating decision which denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I. The Veteran's claim is granted as of the date of the May 1971 rating decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 18, 2010. The rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) remains noncompensable, and the ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities are also noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and cervical OPLL were not related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between his diabetes and service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a chronic headache disability is also pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his ability to work, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a rating increase for arthritis of the left hip were both denied.