Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumptively related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The veteran's treatment at a non-VA facility was deemed necessary due to his critical condition, and he could not be safely transferred to a VA facility until December 31, 2003. The Board found that the veteran is eligible for reimbursement of the cost of this treatment.

The veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he asserts is due to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has determined that the RO failed to provide proper VCAA notice and did not obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they combine to a rating of 60 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent. The examination did not indicate unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied in August 2001. The RO found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. His other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, neck disorder, left wrist disorder, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for PTSD, but dismissed the claim for diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy have been rated at 20 percent since February 6, 2001. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board found that the service-connected phlebitis of the right leg did not contribute to the veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, renal failure due to diabetes mellitus, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and a heart disorder due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not show that the veteran served in Vietnam or was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for mild peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, consistent with the criteria at Diagnostic Code 8521. The veteran's diabetes mellitus remains rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus Type II and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and bipolar disorder. The decision found no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as increased initial ratings for right and left foot diabetic neuropathy, will be readjudicated.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from VA clinics and a PTSD examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of his hearing loss and glaucoma claims, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting new examinations.