Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis contributed to his death due to congestive heart failure, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain reserve component records and other relevant medical records.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires the use of an oral hypoglycemic and he sometimes follows a restricted diet, but it does not require the use of insulin. The criteria for an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent are not met.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310 is denied because the veteran had a 100% disability rating at the time of his death, but no pending claims were found. Accrued benefits are also denied as there was no outstanding claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the date of onset of diabetes mellitus and the need for additional medical records.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, as the combined rating of his conditions did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and preparing a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires a restricted diet and insulin, but not regulation of activities such as avoidance of strenuous occupational or recreational activities. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed back condition, gland condition, gout, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) due to exposure to herbicide agents and toxic chemicals. The RO is instructed to obtain service personnel records and contact DOD and Air Force for information on the veteran's duties in Sembach, Germany.

The Board found that the appellant was not disabled by diabetes mellitus during his period of active duty for training and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of both diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and an eye disorder. The claim for reopening a back disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis, grade I with DDD and residuals of a collapsed lung. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened but not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, secondary to Agent Orange exposure, effective from September 17, 2002 (the date of receipt of the informal claim), based on accrued benefits. The effective date is fixed in accordance with the facts found and shall not be earlier than May 8, 2001, due to a liberalizing regulation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no evidence of service connection or a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam during his visitation there is presumed to have caused his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to it. The TDIU claim will also be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right arm and leg, or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.