Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's death was caused by renal failure, but his service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to the cause of death. The appellant is also denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for accrued benefits, effective January 26, 1994, based on the Nehmer decisions. The veteran died from a covered herbicide disease (Type II Diabetes Mellitus).

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for diabetes mellitus from November 7, 2002 was denied as there is no evidence that the condition required insulin and a restricted diet to regulate activities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service exposure, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with vision disability and increased ratings for the veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and skull fracture disabilities. The effective dates are not specified as they were previously established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, contributed substantially or materially to his death from pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. As a result, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and consideration of the veteran's evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and has granted it to the extent that it is aggravated by steroid injections used to treat his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his Vietnam-era service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including an examination and consideration of whether diabetes or its secondary heart condition has aggravated the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis have been met.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, effective from the date of the decision. The initial left shoulder disorder evaluation remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contributed to his death, warranting service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, including due to inservice exposure to herbicides. The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional information regarding the veteran's claimed exposure and to consider all submitted evidence.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus and an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the veteran's claims.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective December 11, 2000.,For diabetes mellitus, the claim is pending and no effective date has been assigned yet.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 18, 1994 for a total disability rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The claim was not raised before this date and there is no evidence of service-connected disabilities that rendered the veteran unable to work within one year of this date.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with a rating of 20 percent effective January 30, 2002. The veteran's hypertension claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Muskogee, Oklahoma Regional Office. The veteran's request for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is addressed separately.