Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a right leg above-the-knee amputation, which he claims is due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining 1995 VA medical records and providing a new VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary disabilities, finding that his diabetes was not related to herbicide exposure but rather due to prednisone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The secondary disability claims were also denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the primary condition of diabetes.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes and PTSD, significantly contributed to his death from liver failure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his current disability levels. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling hearings and examinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and vision disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim, and that there was insufficient evidence linking any current vision disorder to service.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death (cardiac arrest) was not caused or substantially contributed to by his service-connected PTSD or diabetes. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is also denied as there is no evidence showing the veteran had been entitled to a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities for ten years prior to death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus as a residual of Agent Orange exposure in service is denied. The Board found that the current diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was not incurred during active military service and could not be presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied his claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and a prior effective date. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and earlier effective dates are referred back to the RO.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and enlarged prostate, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other link between the conditions and active service.

The veteran's claims for higher original ratings, effective dates earlier than specified, and other benefits were denied. The May 1985 RO decision denying service connection for nephrotic syndrome was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dizziness or Meniere's disease, pituitary adenoma, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in service.,Service connection for these conditions was denied as there is no evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a psychiatric disability. The low back disability was also denied as not incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have type II diabetes mellitus that is attributable to his active military service. The claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and right knee medial meniscectomy are pending.

The veteran's skin disability and respiratory symptoms are service connected, but diabetes mellitus is not. The psychiatric disability claim remains pending.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not blind or nearly blind in both eyes, does not require regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, and lives independently.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease ratings, finding that no evidence was provided to support these claims.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, as the veteran's condition is manageable with a restricted diet and does not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his diabetes mellitus is inextricably intertwined with his claim for secondary service connection for hypertension. The claims must be remanded to determine whether the hypertension claim should be granted and, if so, whether it needs to be rated separately or as part of the underlying diabetes.