Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to incomplete SPRs and the need to verify herbicide exposure in Thailand. The case will be readjudicated based on a de novo review of the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional opinions regarding the relationship between hypertension and service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and related disorders, including as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam and Thailand, is denied because there is no evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of diabetic nephropathy, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of his other conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The appellant's current conditions are believed to be related to his military service exposure to noise and herbicides.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand and to arrange for a VA examination. The appeal is also remanded for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case due to new evidence received by the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased disability rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to January 8, 2008 and from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, subject to the controlling regulations applicable to the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there is no indication that it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7913. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met, as there is no evidence of regulation of activities due to diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including VA examinations and the provision of updated medical records. The issues are service connection for hepatitis C and an initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 25, 2008 at Memorial Hospital were not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under applicable laws.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes mellitus, both to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made by the Board.

The service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence. The claim will be adjudicated again in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for a bone disorder and diabetes mellitus due to conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran's lay contentions of in-service sun exposure are being considered, but an opinion on whether Prednisone or hyperhidrosis may have aggravated his current disabilities was not provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, Type II, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, allergies, hypertension, scar (upper back), right ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has not found any additional service-connected conditions or issues on appeal.