Diabetes decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 7, 2000 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, seizure disorder, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange in service. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder contributed or aggravated his fatal arteriosclerotic heart disease, which was listed as an underlying cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and could not be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of current diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 11, 2002 for a 100% disability evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted. The effective date is set at the earliest date as of which it was factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and right upper extremity are being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA will conduct further examinations and obtain additional medical records before deciding these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and renal disability were not incurred during active service, as there is no evidence of these conditions in the service medical records. The Board concluded that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, claiming exposure to herbicides during his time in Korea. The Board has ordered additional development including verifying the specific time period of exposure and unit assignments.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective from January 29, 2002. The veteran previously had a 20 percent rating prior to that date.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to procedural defects in the VCAA notice and incomplete consideration of additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, with diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, is service-connected based on a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of treatment and verifying stressors related to PTSD. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are also being evaluated.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal, thus dismissing the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and medical records relied upon concerning those records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of its onset during or within one year following his discharge from active duty. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and thus could not presume service connection based on such exposure.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service or within the presumptive period, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, kidney disorder, and Type II diabetes mellitus, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. He also seeks a TDIU rating. The case must be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's exposure at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. The appeal will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. A noncompensable rating is assigned for bilateral hearing loss.