Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services were not covered under the Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act due to private insurance coverage. The claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical services rendered in connection with a service-connected disability is pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD materially and substantially aggravated his arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which ultimately led to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was pending before VA on May 3, 1989. The appellant is entitled to retroactive benefits from November 13, 1985.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes. The Board also found that the Veteran had a short visit to Vietnam in June/July 1970, which is presumed to have exposed him to herbicides. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities and hypertension due to service-connected diabetes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's eye disability, including cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, is not related to active service or any service-connected condition. The preponderance of evidence indicates that these conditions are due to aging rather than diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service and there was no evidence of diabetes within one year post-service. The claim is based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current congestive heart failure is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent or 40 percent, respectively.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for colon cancer and diabetes. The claim for diabetes was denied due to lack of exposure to Agent Orange, while the claim for colon cancer remained pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by a heart condition related to his service exposure to Agent Orange. He had pending claims for diabetes mellitus, chloracne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) that were all presumed due to his service exposure to Agent Orange. Accrued benefits are granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the Veteran's lay evidence. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, respiratory failure, was not related to his service-connected disabilities and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has found no evidence of tuberculosis related to the Veteran's service in the military. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus, as well as his requests for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the knees and thrombophlebitis of the right lower extremity, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of peripheral neuropathy and that any potential relationship to service-connected conditions could not be established.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and a traumatic dental injury were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to chemical herbicides, and the diabetes mellitus claim could not be granted based on presumptive service connection or direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to missing service treatment records and a need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Cook and unit records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and renal cell carcinoma are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or hazardous chemicals.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, which was found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The claim for DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of competent evidence supporting his assertions and diagnoses.