Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has held the issue of TDIU in abeyance due to pending claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and mixed personality disorder (mental depression), but denied his claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has remanded the case due to a significant change in the law and the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any terminal disorders to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, a low back disorder, chronic disability of the sternum, chronic disability manifested by impaired balance, glaucoma, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and stomach disorder (including pancreatitis and cholelithiasis) are all service-connected as they were incurred during his periods of active duty for training.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, finding that his disabilities do not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the appellant's service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, finding that his condition warrants such a rating based on its severity and complications. The claim for secondary service connection for residuals of intermediate phalangectomies of the fifth toes is also granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain due to new evidence provided by a private physician. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's back condition and diabetes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, the Board has also determined that there is no current disability of diabetes mellitus and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a low back disorder. The decision found that diabetes mellitus did not begin in or was aggravated by service, and there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran's combined disability rating is no more than 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the claim for service connection for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy as secondary to service-connected insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied in March 1996.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis, which were claimed as secondary to service-connected hypertension, and for glaucoma, which was also claimed as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The appeals were dismissed due to a lack of timely substantive appeal or NOD.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, concluding that the condition did not begin during or as a result of active service.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 60 percent for diabetes mellitus with minimal diabetic retinopathy, effective from the date of the examination in May 1998. The issue of earlier effective date for hypertension is pending further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 2, 1997, for a compensable rating for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains unresolved as it is not clear whether this aspect was part of the appeal or if it was raised separately.

The veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, and the appellant is not eligible for improved death pension benefits due to lack of wartime service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.