Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's loss of use of the lower extremities is not due to a service-connected disability, and he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptations grants.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is currently pending. The RO has requested additional evidence and will reassess his disability ratings after further examination.

The veteran's multiple disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes based on his service-connected conditions, as they are not of sufficient severity to render him permanently unemployable.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no objective medical evidence showing restricted social or occupational activities due to his diabetes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes and determined that it is well-grounded. The issues of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and kidney problems are dependent on whether service connection is granted for diabetes.

The Board denied an increased rating for anxiety reaction prior to March 27, 1953 and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The decision is considered final.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for bleeding gums, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a disability manifested by lung and chest pain, and an esophageal ulcer as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 13, 1987 for a 100 percent disability evaluation for service-connected schizophrenia and his secondary service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and chloracne all related to Agent Orange exposure. The RO granted a 100 percent rating for schizophrenia effective March 14, 1989, but amended the effective date to August 13, 1987.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and above the left knee amputation.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of both legs, including diabetes, circulatory problems, and arthritis due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has found that there is competent medical evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current kidney disorder and his service-connected bipolar disorder. The claim for service connection for diabetes insipidus, secondary to bipolar disorder, was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for residuals of a right foot injury, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for an evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence linking the cause of death to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for laryngeal nerve condition and diabetes mellitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the former claim. The secondary service connection theory was not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking the diabetes to his thyroid condition or radiation exposure.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a permanent and total rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes and right shoulder and lower back disabilities, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's death was caused by probable acute cardiac ischemia, which the VA physician opined was a result of a massive pulmonary embolus. The disabilities for which he received compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 (paraplegia and severe sacral decubitus) contributed to his death.

The veteran's impotency is found to be proximately caused by the medications prescribed for his service-connected PTSD. The claim of diabetes mellitus remains not well grounded as no competent evidence has been submitted demonstrating a connection to military service. The veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating from November 24, 1998.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claim for service connection for unspecified disability or disabilities as a result of cigarette smoking during active military service and/or nicotine dependence acquired during active military service. The claim was denied because there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current conditions to service.