Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, claimed as a result of exposure to herbicides, was denied because there is no evidence of any diabetes mellitus in service or within one year following service. The Board also noted that the first medical evidence of any diabetes mellitus is from approximately 32 years after separation from service.

The Veteran's diabetes is found to be related to service, specifically the high triglyceride levels during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a functional heart murmur, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The claim for fibrocystic breast disease is pending as new evidence suggests an increase in symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as it is presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death, nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and accrued benefits due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's fatal conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his cerebellar ataxia with left extremity tremor is related to ionizing radiation exposure during service. The claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip disorder, femur disorder, monoclonal gammapathy, balance disorder and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of cataract removal were denied as the evidence did not support granting these benefits.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional development and determine whether new evidence has been presented to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as well as other issues related to exposure to Agent Orange and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded. His service connection claim for a back disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The claim for coronary artery disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, and hypocalcemia was granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a gynecological disability was set at December 4, 2001, and for the grant of service connection for hypoparathyroidism at August 25, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records from Banner Baywood Hospital in 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes as a result of exposure to herbicides is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. O and confirming any private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition requires regulation of activities, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes and hypoglycemia is denied as there is no current disability of diabetes, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between his hypoglycemia and service.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The RO denied the request, and now the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and has found new and material evidence. The remaining claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and chronic lymphedema are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as his exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's statements are credible and consistent with other medical evidence, supporting a finding that his back pain is caused by his altered gait mechanics resulting from his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, cold injury residuals of the hands and feet, a skin disorder, diabetes mellitus, and an eye disability. The RO also denied his petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hemorrhoids.