Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus type-2 is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hypertension is being aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and vision loss (claimed as blindness) on the grounds that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service in Korea did not qualify for the presumption of Agent Orange exposure, and thus denied his claim. The case is being remanded to comply with VA procedures regarding possible herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has determined that a more specific attempt to document any visitation to the DMZ in Korea is warranted because any documented missions and landing in these areas would trigger the presumptive service connection provisions regarding herbicide exposure. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death and any diseases or disabilities substantially contributing to his death were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and may not be presumed to have been caused or aggravated by active military service.

The Board is remanding the cases to the RO for clarification on whether the veteran desires a Travel Board or videoconference hearing, and to schedule such hearing in accordance with his preference.

The veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to substantiate the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hammertoes, including obtaining medical records and personnel information.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and there was insufficient credible evidence that the veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his tour on Okinawa.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA found that the condition required insulin and a restricted diet but did not require regulation of activities.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required that he regulate his activities, and the effective date for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus and PTSD. The decision also addressed his request for TDIU but did not reach a final determination on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for further verification of the veteran's presence in Vietnam during his temporary duty.

The Board has ordered the RO to consider new evidence and conduct additional development for both the lower back condition claim and the diabetes mellitus rating claim. The claims will be readjudicated after this process.

The veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, claimed as a result of herbicide exposure in Korea, is being remanded due to incomplete development and notification requirements.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues on appeal, including increased ratings for various conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his diabetes mellitus is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on insulin use or other complications.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral retinopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service.