Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for further examination to determine its etiology and whether it was present within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent evaluation for chronic renal insufficiency effective June 1, 2003. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. His claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for several service-connected disabilities and a TDIU. The RO has remanded these claims due to the need for further development, including reexaminations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and vision problems are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found the character of discharge for the period from September 13, 1999 to May 15, 2003 is not a bar to VA benefits. However, the character of discharge for the period from May 16, 2003 to July 30, 2007 is considered dishonorable and thus bars VA benefits.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete deck logs from the USS New Jersey for the period of September 29, 1968 through January 13, 1969. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an upper respiratory disability, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, are being remanded for further investigation of the Veteran's alleged exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and eye disorder due to herbicide exposure. The Board needs to verify the Veteran's unit history in Korea and determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and multiple myeloma have been reopened, but the Board has determined that new evidence does not establish a causal link to active service.,The Veteran served aboard the USS Passumpsic in the Republic of Vietnam. However, there is no credible evidence indicating he was exposed to herbicides or other conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for the assignment of an initial rating for the Veteran's now service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO should also consider whether a VA examination is appropriate prior to assigning a disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, heart disorder, tinnitus, insomnia, sleep apnea, depression, and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Appellant's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and cardiac disorder are related to his period of active service or any incidents therein, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish a secondary relationship to herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, and/or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.