Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic anxiety reaction, moderate, major depressive disorder, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities and concluded that the Veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during active service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying the appellant's attorney's comments.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and diabetes mellitus did not manifest within one year of service separation, were not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 26, 2003 for a grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he does not meet the legal requirements for eligibility due to lack of qualifying service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidentiary development being necessary, including verification of the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional notice and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of shrapnel wound to his left forearm, service connection for nosebleeds secondary to hypertension, diabetes mellitus or agent orange exposure, and service connection for leg condition due to shrapnel injury. The nerve condition claim was also denied as it was related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, including all related conditions, is service connected due to exposure to herbicides in service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for increased rating of right foot disability is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not show a direct relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, and thus a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service-connected and his claims for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not due to, caused by, or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have Type II Diabetes Mellitus or Kidney Cancer that is related to his military service. The evidence does not show actual duty or visitation in Vietnam, and there is no indication of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found no causal link between the Appellant's military service and his current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, type II, or hepatitis C. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board finds that the VA facilities are geographically accessible and capable of providing the required care, thus denying the Veteran's claim for fee basis medical care.