Diabetes decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that the earliest possible effective date is July 26, 2001.

The veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of cerebrovascular accident and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied all initial evaluation claims as there is no evidence of a need for higher evaluations based on the current service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and effective dates related to his service-connected conditions have been granted. The specific conditions include diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skin conditions.

The veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The effective date is set at the date of the liberalizing law, May 8, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction due to lack of verified in-service stressors, no herbicide exposure during service, and failure to meet the presumptive regulations regarding Agent Orange exposure. The appellant is not precluded from establishing direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, a cervical spine disorder, or intervertebral disc syndrome as a result of service or a service-connected condition. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure and denied an earlier effective date prior to March 4, 2003, for a grant of a 100 percent rating for dementia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding no current residuals of a cold injury to his feet and that his DM is currently controlled with medication without requiring regulation of activities or hospitalizations.

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 current diagnosis attributable to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diabetes mellitus did not begin during his period of service and is not related to any incident or event in service. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's hypertension was caused by his diabetes or incurred in service, and denied service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's treatment at Tahlequah City Hospital on March 7, 2004 was rendered for a medical emergency and that federal facilities were not feasibly available to him. Therefore, payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on that date is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, and chronic tinnitus. The veteran requested withdrawal of his claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus at a hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the RO's November 2002 decision granting service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's claim is restored.