Diabetes decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and left eye melanoma, both linked to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board found that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam and denied his claims for diabetes mellitus and tinea versicolor as they are unrelated to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for hepatitis and PTSD. The veteran was not granted any of his requested benefits.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of bronchial asthma, and there was no indication that the veteran's diabetes required regulation of activities or complications warranting higher ratings.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of a nature and severity so as to preclude the performance of all types of substantially gainful employment in keeping with his education and occupational experience, warranting a total rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it did not have an onset during active duty and that any worsening was due to natural progression of the disease.

The veteran's current diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and kidney cancer, both claimed as a result of herbicide (Agent Orange) exposure. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from September 27, 2001 to September 28, 2001 are eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the emergency nature of his chest pain and the lack of feasible VA facilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and motor sensory neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all issues on appeal.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete information and the need to verify in-service stressors. The VA will obtain additional medical records, personnel records, and attempt to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, glaucoma, and osteoarthritis of the left foot with hallux valgus as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded the case to allow further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination. The claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding the veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's death was caused by or contributed to by his diabetes mellitus, a condition presumed to be associated with service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange. The Board finds that the medical evidence establishes that the veteran's diabetes mellitus contributed substantially and materially to cause his death.

The Board has determined that the case should be returned to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased evaluation for a baker's cyst of the left popliteal fossa is still pending.

The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent effective January 30, 2002. The RO granted the increased rating for hypertension but denied reopening of the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder.