Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and a need for an examination regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. The Board also notes that the Veteran has hypertension and bilateral cataracts, but further medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated by service and cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance in purchasing specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to the lack of anatomical loss or use of either lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as his condition is managed by an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet without requiring regulation of activities or use of insulin.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as related to his inservice exposure to herbicide agents at Eglin AFB in 1969.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, hypertension at 100 percent, and anemia at 10 percent. The appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and adjudicating his claim of service connection for a heart disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental disorder related to his claimed in-service stressor. For diabetes mellitus, the Board determined that it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and could not be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. Service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examination. The appeal will be returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 60 percent from June 6, 1996 to February 3, 1998 due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and the requirement of regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities). Episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year were not documented.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his active duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant has not provided evidence of a new and material claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive exposures during his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during non-VA ambulance transport and treatment at a private medical facility on October 7, 2008 were not reimbursable as the services did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all claimed as a result of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Thailand did not involve any known use of tactical herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for further development and readjudication. The case will be returned to the RO for additional efforts in obtaining records and determining whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Subic Bay, Philippines.