Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from September 27, 2001 to September 28, 2001 are eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the emergency nature of his chest pain and the lack of feasible VA facilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and motor sensory neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all issues on appeal.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete information and the need to verify in-service stressors. The VA will obtain additional medical records, personnel records, and attempt to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, glaucoma, and osteoarthritis of the left foot with hallux valgus as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded the case to allow further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination. The claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding the veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's death was caused by or contributed to by his diabetes mellitus, a condition presumed to be associated with service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange. The Board finds that the medical evidence establishes that the veteran's diabetes mellitus contributed substantially and materially to cause his death.

The Board has determined that the case should be returned to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased evaluation for a baker's cyst of the left popliteal fossa is still pending.

The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent effective January 30, 2002. The RO granted the increased rating for hypertension but denied reopening of the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the appellant's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. However, additional development is required before the merits of the underlying claim can be adjudicated.

The Board denied a higher evaluation for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation greater than 20 percent.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right above-the-knee amputation resulting from surgeries performed by VA, finding that the veteran's condition was not caused by fault on the part of VA.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to any service-connected disability, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to her medical conditions, which do not demonstrate a significant level of disability requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type I diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and hepatitis C. The decision found that no evidence supported a direct link to service or new material evidence was submitted to reopen the PTSD claim.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the onset of his condition while on active duty.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, effective from January 31, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence to determine the current status and etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hearing loss, malaria residuals, cold injury to the feet, PTSD, back disorder, knee disorders, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus.