Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to a failure to timely file a Substantive Appeal. The issues of diabetes mellitus and stomach disorder are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are not service-connected as they did not develop during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his inability to walk or move his legs without a wheelchair. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation of the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The claims for service connection are pending and will be reconsidered after obtaining the requested records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his claimed conditions are related to his active duty or to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, hypertension, and cerebral vascular accident are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The decision also granted service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy did not begin during active service or ACDUTRA. Hypertension was not incurred in service, but may have been aggravated by service. The Veteran does not have a vision disorder that is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment, or acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to his service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for further consideration, including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of the appellant's service-connected disabilities and his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The claim is denied.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (asystole due to congestive heart failure) did not develop during his active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran had been service-connected for PTSD, but this condition was not considered the principal or contributory cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, and the increased rating for his left eye disability remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy are currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and renal disease associated with diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of additional functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.