Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 29, 2003 for increased evaluations of the bilateral upper extremities was granted. His initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II was later increased to 40 percent in August 2003.

The Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer were not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia and severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The decision found that hypercholesterolemia is not a compensable disability, and that the proposed severance was proper as there was evidence showing the Veteran had diabetes mellitus type I rather than type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from colon cancer, which was diagnosed 35 years after service. The Board also noted that there is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's colon cancer to service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left above the knee amputation as a result of vascular neuropathy. The Veteran's claim of peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with renal insufficiency is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and because adjudication of these claims may impact other secondary service connection claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied in September 2002. The claim is now reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome is pending.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits was denied due to the finding that his bad faith in not reporting his spouse's Social Security income created the overpayment.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus denying her claims for special monthly pension benefits on those grounds. However, she was granted special monthly pension benefits based on being housebound.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's tinnitus has a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions did not have a direct link to his military service and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities does not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU, as his PTSD and diabetes mellitus alone do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's esophageal cancer was caused or aggravated by his service in Vietnam and whether his diabetes mellitus contributed to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with postoperative status two vessel coronary artery bypass graft (coronary artery disability), partial lung removal, transmetatarsal amputation of the left foot, hypertension, and eye disease as there is no evidence that these conditions had onset during active service or are otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, stomach disability, and low back disability due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance due to resultant helplessness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot establish presumptive service connection for his claimed conditions based on exposure to Agent Orange. The VA examiners have opined that the Veteran's diabetes, COPD, connective tissue disease with high fevers, and skin disorder with scars are not related to his military service.