Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to Agent Orange exposure is denied because there is no medical evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for a heart disorder and migraine headaches as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with representation, medical records, and stressor verification. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, residuals of hemorrhoidectomy, and pancreatitis were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from SSA and VA.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant had diabetes mellitus within one year of his separation from active service, warranting presumptive service connection. The claim for vision problems secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to unclear etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-country service and obtaining medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange and thus could not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II or prostate cancer on a presumptive basis. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection either.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. The previously assigned 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced to 40 percent due to improvement in hearing acuity. The Veteran is found eligible for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his active service and the condition. The Court had previously stayed adjudication due to a legal challenge regarding herbicide exposure presumptions.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy was manifested by mild background diabetic retinopathy with no impairment of visual acuity prior to November 7, 2005. Subsequent to this date, the condition was characterized as moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in one eye and mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in the other eye.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear was denied. His claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and type II diabetes mellitus were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol/high triglycerides, and osteoporosis are not related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is secondary to his service-connected renal insufficiency with hypertension.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for possible service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation, but the appeal must be remanded as there are insufficient records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, and skin condition of the arms were all denied. The Veteran was not granted any new effective dates for benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.