Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected cold injury residuals, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his military service is presumed. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, and a cervical spine disability were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II based on its presumptive relationship to in-service gestational diabetes. Service connection was also established for the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and verifying service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not service-connected due to being related to pancreatitis, and his kidney problems are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence. The effective date claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no competent medical nexus indicating its onset in service or secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension and heart disabilities are also denied as there is no credible evidence linking them to service, including service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus has been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition being aggravated during service. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not granted due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant and financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete information and evidence, including a need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development. The issue of whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen a claim for PTSD remains on hold.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's conditions to his service-connected condition or any other causal relationship.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II has been manifested by the need for insulin and dietary restrictions but physical activity has not been regulated. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remain at 10 percent, diabetes mellitus is rated 20 percent disabling, and PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, corroborating the Veteran's allegation of in-country duty in Vietnam while on TDY during active service, and attempting to obtain up-to-date VA and non-VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU were denied. The claim to reopen a left knee disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's cause of death was found to be substantially or materially contributed to by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, as evidenced by frequent hypoglycemic episodes and the medical opinion that these episodes were causally related to his motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal in regard to service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.