Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Cleveland Clinic Hospital on July 18, 2004 were reimbursed because the treatment was for a serious condition that posed a threat to his health and no VA facility was available.

The Board finds that the veteran's left eyelid disorder with associated loss of vision and diabetic retinopathy were not incurred or aggravated during military service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current disability and no credible evidence linking the veteran's symptoms to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus as there is no competent medical evidence showing the condition existed during or after service.

The Board has granted initial 10 percent ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, effective December 29, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to information provided by the veteran regarding his alleged service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and eye disability including diminished visual acuity, finding that these conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and neuropathy is not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and skin disorders, all presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or that they were caused by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which is currently under review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease and a temporary total evaluation following prostate surgery is denied.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for their respective ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for body rash, jaundice and kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus, and heart disorder as there is no competent evidence demonstrating these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely Substantive Appeal regarding the January 2004 denial of service connection for a skin disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with cataracts and retinopathy, and whether a timely notice of disagreement has been received with respect to a June 2003 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD are addressed in the remand.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I. As a result, the claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, adult onset is a result of VA medical treatment for Crohn's disease and was not caused by lack of informed consent. As such, the veteran is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain the veteran's complete personnel file and other requested records. The veteran is asked to submit additional evidence or argument.

The Board's April 2005 decision is vacated due to failure to address the veteran's requests for his complete personnel file and other records. The case is remanded for further action.

The veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease were all denied. The VA determined that these conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.