Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his left knee disability is also rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran contends that these disabilities are more severe than the current ratings suggest.,The Veteran has not provided any evidence to support a higher rating for either of his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal involves a request for increased ratings for his headaches and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations, and determine if higher ratings are warranted or if service connection is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or due to service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as additional records are needed and an examination is required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right hip, low back, and diabetes mellitus disabilities. However, further development is needed to ensure all relevant medical records are obtained and to provide a thorough examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, which required insulin and a restricted diet, warrants a 20 percent evaluation from March 30, 1990 to October 6, 1996.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus contributed to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease, leading to fatal cardiac dysrhythmia. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage due to metastatic melanoma.

The Board has determined that the October 2007 rating decision denying a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus did not contain clear and unmistakable error. The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral vascular disease was denied in an earlier decision, but new evidence has been received since then to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of benign prostatic hypertrophy was withdrawn. The Board denied the increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus with onychomycosis pedis, hypertension and erectile dysfunction from March 9, 2009, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and any related complications.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The Board found no evidence linking the current diagnosis to military service and denied presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure due to lack of evidence that he served in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. The appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis contributed to his death, but a VA medical opinion indicates that arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was not related to the Veteran's military service or his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the cause of death listed on the certificate of death (shortness of breath) may have been due to the Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran is asked to provide additional details, and if necessary, the VA will contact the JSRRC for verification.