Diabetes decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and a skin condition due to herbicide exposure were denied. The claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA compensation examination.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for diabetes mellitus and found the veteran in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including severe neuropathy affecting multiple extremities. The veteran's diabetes requires insulin therapy, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant prior to any decision being made.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated employment information.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pemphigus vulgaria with osteopenia of the lumbar spine caused his current diabetes mellitus Type II, and granted service connection for this secondary condition.

The Board has granted service connection for juvenile diabetes and assigned a 20% evaluation, effective January 7, 2002. The veteran's claim was not earlier than this date.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability and is remanding the case to further develop the record, including obtaining missing service medical records and considering new evidence. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of both hands, and kidney disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that further evidence is needed from the San Jose VA Outpatient Clinic and other treatment providers to make a determination on the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination to determine if diabetes mellitus is related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange, effective from July 15, 2003. The secondary service connection claims are remanded as further development is needed.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting the need for insulin and a restricted diet. The VA has not found any additional restrictions or complications that would warrant higher ratings.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims is related to his PTSD and hypertension medications. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether these medications caused his diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 19, 2001, for a grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The effective date was set at January 19, 2001.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The appellant was denied because the provided evidence did not relate any post-service findings to his service.

The veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus was granted at 20 percent, but he contends that his condition requires more extensive treatment and a higher evaluation. The skin disorder on the back issue is pending due to remand.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has denied all the issues on appeal, including service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and prostatic hypertrophy due to Agent Orange exposure. The claims for right knee, left knee, throat polyp, hypertension, neck, and back disorders have also been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition, as the last examination was in October 2001 and he has expressed disagreement with the initial rating assigned from June 29, 1994.