Diabetes decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or a link between the conditions and active duty.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied all claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and allergic rhinitis. The veteran was not granted any higher ratings than those already assigned.

The Board has granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent for urinary frequency as a symptom of the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for a higher rating for right 5th metatarsal fracture residuals remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and incomplete SSA records.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 60 percent, and his claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The veteran's death was caused by sepsis due to severe lung disease, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Diabetes mellitus, also presumptively linked to Agent Orange exposure, contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, specifically his time spent at Danang Harbor where he was exposed to herbicides. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims is secondary to exposure to Agent Orange while stationed in Thailand. The VA needs to obtain additional records and determine if the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it did not originate during active service or within one year thereof and is not otherwise related to service. The Board also found no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus currently requires daily insulin injections and a restricted diet, without restriction of activities. The current rating of 20 percent is appropriate as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, COPD, and diabetes mellitus to the RO for further consideration.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as whether a skin disability due to Agent Orange exposure exists. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder aggravated his non-service connected diabetes mellitus, which may have contributed to his death. The appellant must provide additional evidence or argument if desired.

The VA denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, maintaining the current 40 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and multiple joint arthritis were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and cancer of the vocal cord as presumptively incurred due to exposure to herbicides during military service.

The Board granted the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus with a 10% disability rating, and later increased it to 20%. The issue of an increased PTSD rating is no longer pending as the veteran limited his appeal to this specific issue.