Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction should be May 31, 2007.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more since December 23, 2005.,Type 2 diabetes was not incurred or aggravated during active military service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes is denied.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any right knee disability is related to active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with blurred vision, headaches, and body weakness. The Veteran's claim was previously denied due to a lack of evidence establishing service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, presumed due to exposure to herbicides during service. The issue of service connection for a visual disorder secondary to the service-connected diabetes is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Naples Community Hospital on November 17, 2007 are not eligible for payment or reimbursement because VA facilities were reasonably available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable, sound, wise, or practicable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying herbicide exposure and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the feet.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or eye disability (glaucoma and retinopathy) attributable to his period of active service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims were denied.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and gout, both secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine condition, have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus did not require a regulation of activities at any time during the appeal period, and thus does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest during his period of active service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence linking the condition to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's glaucoma claim is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus cannot be established as the condition was not present in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The hypertension claim has been previously denied but reopened with new evidence.

The Veteran's right and left feet disabilities have been rated as diabetic neuropathy, with the highest available rating of 30 percent for each foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection remain pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral feet are not related to his military service.,The VA examiner opined that these conditions are less likely as not caused by or a result of military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection and rating of various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, vision disability, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to errors in notification and compliance with previous directives. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in service and cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and active duty.