Diabetes decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, claiming it is due to herbicide exposure. However, VA's investigation found no evidence of Agent Orange use in Thailand during the veteran's service.

The veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. However, the available records do not confirm his proximity to Vietnam during his active duty.

The veteran's claims for tuberculosis and increased tinnitus have been withdrawn. Service connection for sinusitis is not established, while diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both legs are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, low back pain, and kidney disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus were also denied.

The veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of a separate compensable evaluation for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of Muscle Group XIV of the left thigh.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and dismissed the appeals regarding the evaluation of diabetes mellitus and denial of service connection for a bilateral eye condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, skin condition, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as service connection for hypertension. The appeals were based on the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 30, 2004.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted and a 30 percent rating is assigned.

The Board denied service connection for nerve damage and numbness to the left leg as residual of trauma to the iliac crest, but granted service connection for scarring. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the current degree of impairment due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to herbicide agents, finding that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy or provide objective evidence of his claimed stressors. Diabetes was also not diagnosed until many decades post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral foot and heel disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral knee arthritis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from November 1, 2004 through March 7, 2007. From March 8, 2007 onwards, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for breathing problems secondary to asbestos exposure due to lack of evidence of actual exposure and no shown disability.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus with nephropathy. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C and liver problems is addressed in the REMAND portion.