Diabetes decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's breast cancer and diabetes mellitus are related to exposure to carcinogens in service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus with bilateral diabetic retinopathy does not require insulin, a restricted diet and regulation of activities. The Board finds that the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee disability and service connection for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for diabetes is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not related to herbicide exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the conditions did not begin in service or manifest within one year of service separation. The Board also found no evidence linking these conditions to any in-service injury or disease other than tobacco use.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and depression. The veteran's current hepatitis C was not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure. Diabetes mellitus was also not linked to service or herbicide exposure. Depression was not attributable to service.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include a rating in excess of 10 percent earlier than February 17, 2005, is denied as there are no compensable complications and the veteran does not require insulin or regulation of activities. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is also denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board finds that the veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities. The VA has assigned an initial 20 percent disability rating for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and therefore cannot establish service connection for an eye disorder secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to a stay imposed by the Federal Circuit in Haas v. Nicholson, which affects claims based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including Type II Diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, numbness of the arms, hands, and feet, and insomnia, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examiners concluded without exception that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a back disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and stroke due to withdrawal by the veteran. Service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and arthritis of multiple joints. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his current claim for diabetes mellitus. Service connection was also denied for hypertension and arthritis as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim to reopen a previously denied psychiatric disability was also denied.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the stability point and the feasibility of transferring him to a VA facility.