Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's ischemic brain infarct is related to his service-connected hypertension and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy, finding that it meets the criteria for such an evaluation based on active pathology.

The veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes and impotence resulting from a right iliac crest graft donor surgery performed at a VA facility in April 1994 were denied as the evidence did not show that the surgeries caused additional disability or death due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 (West 2002). The Board also denied his claims for PTSD prior to June 26, 1996 and diabetes mellitus with retinopathy.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus II warrants a 40 percent disability rating for the period between November 20, 2001 and January 8, 2002. The veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his diabetes mellitus prior to that date or on or after January 9, 2002.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure and negative service medical records.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits because his service-connected diabetes mellitus and right calcaneus fracture do not materially contribute to his employment handicap.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for renal disease was denied. The RO granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, effective January 24, 2001, and also granted an earlier effective date of January 24, 2001, for service connection for renal disease on the basis that it was proximately due to the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the appellant does not have any residuals of the removal of a tumor of the right ankle attributable to military service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault during his last admission to the VAMC. The cause of death was due to myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during service. The fungus infection of the groin was not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with VCAA notice requirements and for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further verification of his periods of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his naval service and was first manifested many years after separation from active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and the residuals of frostbite. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new and material evidence provided by the veteran, including his statements and testimony regarding symptoms in service and during separation examination. The claim is granted.