Diabetes Board decisions

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus Type II is not service-connected due to lack of qualifying Vietnam service and insufficient evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure or any other incident of his military service.

The veteran's widow is seeking service connection for the cause of his death, which was due to metastatic pancreatic cancer. The Board has ordered remand as it needs clarification on whether diabetes mellitus (service-connected) contributed substantially or materially to the veteran's death.

The Board finds that the appellant's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus, Type II, and bilateral eye disability (macular degeneration) are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied service connection for type-II diabetes mellitus and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or in-service events that could support the claims.

The Board has decided the claims for service connection for asthma and diabetes mellitus. The claim for asthma was denied, while the claim for diabetes mellitus is being remanded to the RO.,There is no direct evidence linking the veteran's asthma or diabetes mellitus to his military service.

The VA denied increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and dermatophytosis of the toes, finding that the veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under current rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and an increased evaluation for bilateral high frequency hearing loss, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and thus not warranting presumptive service connection. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his hearing loss is also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU benefits based on these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's increased disability rating claims for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and found the veteran unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, granting TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that his disability does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating since July 9, 2001.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, and Impotence, as well as PTSD. The initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides and no in-service manifestation or diagnosis of diabetes. The Board concluded that service connection could not be granted as a presumptive condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar laminectomy residuals warrant a schedular rating of 60 percent, effective from September 23, 2002.

The Board has ordered the VA to locate missing service medical records for the veteran's period of active duty from May 1968 to December 1969. The case will be remanded for a de novo review and further development.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 60 percent, which is required to establish entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. Therefore, a total rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The veteran's appeal for pension benefits prior to October 12, 2001 has been withdrawn. The remaining service connection issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.