Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted, with an effective date of April 20, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the possibility of current diagnosis and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with cataracts was denied as there is no evidence that his condition met the criteria for a grant of service connection on May 8, 2001, when diabetes mellitus was added to the list of presumptive diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and diabetes mellitus Type II, as well as reopening of a previously denied claim for myelodysplasia. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service in 'Brown Water' Vietnam and a medical opinion on whether diabetes mellitus contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are granted as service-connected, with the diabetes being due to exposure to TCE during service. The issue of a compensable rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from January 1, 2006, to January 13, 2008 is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper, left lower, and right lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents based on service in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971. Therefore, diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to his request for withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and SSA disability decision.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Halifax Health Medical Center on June 29, 2009 and June 30, 2009 were denied as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. VA facilities were located within reasonable distance from his home but he did not attempt to use them.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, claimed as a result of exposure to herbicides, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his alleged Vietnam service and potential exposure. The Veteran's request for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Panama and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic ear disorder, and chronic sinus disorder as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature, extent and severity of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The RO must also consider whether separate compensable ratings are warranted for renal and eye impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is secondary to herbicide exposure and ionizing radiation, has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for a cyst on his left kidney. The effective date of the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was determined to be March 25, 2005.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the feet are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his diabetes mellitus, type II and service as well as the relationship between his bilateral cataracts and glaucoma and his diabetes. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims for ocular hypertension of the left eye, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia are all denied due to lack of a direct link to service or service-connected conditions.