Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure and noting that the condition was not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service records and a need for further medical examination regarding whether diabetes mellitus had its onset or increased in severity during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, a heart condition, kidney disorder, arthritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, and therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 and grants this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy with cataracts, and hypertension. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, but denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for neuropathy of the lips and peripheral neuropathy of the hands, both as being caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and have denied each claim.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection of hypertension, fatigue, shortness of breath, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, tinea pedis and tinea capitis, and headaches are also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The cause of death was attributed to lung metastases due to nasopharyngeal cancer, which is not shown by competent clinical evidence to be related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus with bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and ulcers of right foot, blindness of the left eye, shrapnel wounds to the right side of body, a cyst, and residuals of a collapsed lung, are not supported by evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during active military service. The veteran's claims for reopening his right knee disability claim have also been denied.

The Board found no factually ascertainable evidence supporting TDIU prior to August 28, 2003. The veteran's claim for increased ratings was received on August 28, 2003.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence received from the veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and will remand the case for such development.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 10, 2006 at a private hospital were reimbursed because he had seven service-connected disabilities and the VA facilities were not feasibly available to provide emergency care.