Diabetes decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, cardiac disorder, and skin ulcers are not service-connected. The claim for increased evaluation of the service-connected dermatophytosis of the hands and feet with onychomycosis is also denied.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus is not related to the veteran's service-connected residuals of multiple fractures, arthritis of left hip and neuropathy of the left peroneal nerve.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and a 20 percent rating was assigned effective July 16, 1992. The evidence did not show that the disability warranted a higher evaluation during this period.

The Board granted an effective date of October 29, 1999, for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus were rated as appropriate under the applicable criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as he is currently using oral medications and does not require insulin. The issue of increased evaluation for bilateral diabetic retinopathy was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service, and the medical records do not support a link to military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized chiropractic treatment is denied as there was no prior VA authorization and the treatment was not provided in a medical emergency.

The Board found that the veteran's current diabetes mellitus was not present in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein. As such, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made on the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Nakhon Panom (NKP), Thailand. The veteran is scheduled for a VA endocrinology examination if herbicide use in or near NKP is confirmed.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is pending, and the appeal is remanded to obtain additional treatment records. The issue of an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus is also pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and no medical link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during the veteran's active service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus effective from July 15, 2002. The veteran's claim for TDIU is referred to the RO for further action.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, impaired vision, and a bilateral foot disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to service-connected residuals of a right patellar fracture with traumatic arthritis and a total knee replacement was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's pancreatitis claim has not been substantiated by the medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and manic depressive disorder. The decision also noted that the veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam, which is a requirement for presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating since January 30, 2001. The issue of a separate evaluation for peripheral neuropathy is remanded.