Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board found that the evidence received since the July 2004 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus was not reopened.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated as 100 percent disabling in combination, including post-traumatic stress disorder, low back disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's impairment from diabetic neuropathy effectively renders him without the use of his lower extremities, necessitating the use of a wheelchair for locomotion.

The Board has denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, both claimed as related to active service. The veteran's claims are based on direct service connection rather than a presumption due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability and for type II diabetes mellitus, secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The decision on both issues is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins was granted. However, the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus prior to August 16, 2005, was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his service-connected steroid-induced condition or to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO granted the increased rating on November 17, 2003. The case is being remanded due to procedural defects in VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and no direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the veteran's exposure to herbicides in Panama, which could impact his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, VCAA notice, and compliance with Dingess v. Nicholson.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and post-traumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for proper notice, additional development of SSA records, and VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and further evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I does not require regulation of activities and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine whether the veteran's quadriplegia and other disabilities are related to a December 2002 VA cervical spine tumor resection surgery, including issues of informed consent and negligence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the veteran's exposure to herbicides and to verify his account of flights in Vietnam. The claims for service connection for hearing loss and diabetes mellitus will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes is not related to his service, including any exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The claim was denied.

The veteran's death was caused by metastatic liver cancer due to bladder cancer, which is not service-connected. The Board denied the DIC claim as diabetes mellitus did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 60 percent for the veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus from March 27, 2001 to December 30, 2003. Since then, he is entitled to a 60 percent rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus type II does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent since May 8, 2001.