Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his complete service personnel records and conduct additional examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for DM, a right hand disability, left hip disability, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, and PTSD will be addressed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25 - 29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not considered to be of such nature that a prudent layperson could have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The appeal is related to presumptive exposure to herbicides, which may affect his diabetes claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The most probative medical opinion concluded that the condition was less likely than not incurred in service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I, is found to have started during her active duty for training in July 1999. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to exposure to Agent Orange during active duty in California.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further evaluation of his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a lung disability (to include COPD and emphysema) were denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the current diagnoses are not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 8, 2008 for the grant of a TDIU was denied as there was no evidence that he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to this date.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical facility from January 1, 2007 to January 5, 2007 are granted as the treatment was for a service-connected condition and not feasible to be provided by VA or federal facilities.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the additional disability resulting from the June 2004 cervical spine surgery and follow-up care was not caused by VA fault or a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the surgery, thus denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and residuals of carcinoma of the left cheek, finding that these conditions are related to active service. The Veteran's exposure to environmental toxins during his service at Andersen AFB in Guam is considered.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for diabetes mellitus or diabetic dermopathy of the lower legs, as both conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a VA examination to address the credibility of the Veteran's statements regarding service events and symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine are granted as secondary to his service-connected compression fracture of L-1. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year post-service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to service. The other conditions have not been established as related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure in inland waterways of Vietnam, as he claims.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew her increased rating claims for the listed disabilities and her claim for a TDIU before the Board could make a decision.