Diabetes decisions — 2004

The VA has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange and assigned a 40 percent disability rating retroactively effective from July 9, 2001. The veteran already had separate ratings for related conditions (neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of direct causation and noting that there was no presumption of exposure to Agent Orange due to his service on a ship off Vietnam. The Board also found no evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his period of active duty for training.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for residuals of head injury, but denied service connection due to lack of current residuals. The diabetes mellitus claim was not addressed as it is presumed to be related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and a compensable evaluation for impotence, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date prior to February 15, 2000 for service connection of diabetes mellitus due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year of discharge.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice, procedural defects in the reduction of his prostate disability evaluation, and the need to secure additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the veteran's exposure to herbicides during active duty was not supported by evidence of record. The Board also found no direct or secondary service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA Social and Industrial Survey to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to work.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and a bilateral leg and foot condition secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam or Korea where Agent Orange exposure occurred. The Board also found no evidence of chronic disease manifestation within one year post-service.

The veteran is currently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, type II and claims this condition was caused by his service in Vietnam. The Board has determined that further verification of the veteran's presence in Vietnam during the relevant time frame is needed to determine if he qualifies for presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with proteinuria was incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date is not specified, and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus claim and increased rating claims for left femur, forearm, and right radius conditions are being remanded due to incomplete information regarding his service exposure and the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for VCAA notification and additional development of evidence.

The veteran's diabetes and related symptoms, including headaches and dizziness, are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 13, 2001 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus based on exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The Board found that no prior claims were filed before this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is likely to have developed during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining flight records and any other relevant medical evidence. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and end stage renal failure will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.