Diabetes decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure, but the effective date remains pending as it is based on a newly-effective VA regulation implementing the Nehmer decision.

The Board found no persuasive medical evidence linking any bone disease or diabetes mellitus to the veteran's active service, or to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus with congestive heart failure, effective May 8, 2001. The RO assigned a 20 percent evaluation based on diabetes mellitus.

The veteran seeks service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims was caused by herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if the veteran's exposure to herbicides can be substantiated.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam, which is required for presumptive service connection under Agent Orange exposure. The claim was denied as there was no evidence to support the presumption.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The RO denied the claim because it found no evidence of renal disease or diabetic nephropathy, which are necessary for a secondary service connection claim based on diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a low back disorder, and residuals of removal of warts on his index and ring fingers. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service on board a U.S. Navy destroyer off the coast of Vietnam is not considered exposure to herbicide agents, and thus his claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, secondary to such exposure cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam due to exposure to herbicide agents, and service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) and a compensable disability rating for pleural thick thickening consistent with asbestos-related pleural disease. The decision is based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding it may be presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, which requires insulin twice daily and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of her activities, is associated with complications such as hypertension and diabetic retinopathy. The disability currently meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus did not begin during or was not permanently worsened by periods of active duty, and thus service connection is denied.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. Service connection for a prostate disability and an eye disability was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and diminished eyesight as these conditions did not begin during or after service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for eczematous dermatitis is being reviewed, as well as his claim for service connection for a diabetic condition.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, including based on exposure to herbicides, and the RO denied service connection for residuals of a left knee injury. The veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the April 1997 decision.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence and a need for clarification of the veteran's diabetes mellitus service connection claim.