Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination report of September 2004, which did not provide sufficient information regarding whether regulation of activities was medically required for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information regarding the veteran's service connection claims, including verification of in-service stressors for PTSD and exposure to herbicides for diabetes mellitus. The low back disability claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus, type II with impotency. The veteran was previously rated at 10 percent prior to March 12, 2003 and at 20 percent from that date onwards.

The Board has ordered the RO to search for and obtain medical records from the veteran's treatment at Samson Naval Hospital and Leavenworth VAMC, as well as provide due process notice regarding previously service-connected conditions. The case is then remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding no current diagnosis or evidence of these conditions during service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it. The case of diabetes mellitus remains pending as a remand is required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's diabetes and hyperglycemia are related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, were denied. His initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 11, 2007 was granted.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues related to dermatological condition, right hip condition, diabetic retinopathy, podiatry condition, and bladder condition with urination problems.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus (Type II) is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and its residuals were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may service incurrence of diabetes be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. The veteran was stationed in Korea but not along the DMZ where Agent Orange was sprayed.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the Board finds that the appellant does not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's claim of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and colon cancer, both claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for an increased evaluation of retinal scar of left eye with heavy traction bands was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with left eye cotton-spot macular edema, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board found that the veteran did not serve in a location where herbicide exposure was presumed, and thus denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea and to reopen his claim of diabetes mellitus. The case needs further clarification regarding the units he served with in the National Guard, as well as treatment records from those periods.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with bypass graft, and hypertension associated with diabetes were denied as the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 20%, 60%, and 10% evaluations respectively.