Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus was granted in April 2002 with an effective date of July 30, 1996. The Board found that the earlier effective date requested by the Veteran could not be assigned due to lack of evidence indicating a prior intent to file such a claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer and related conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board also finds it is at least as likely as not that these conditions have caused or contributed to his other diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran is currently service-connected for erectile dysfunction, but it has not resulted in deformity of the penis.

The Board has remanded the claims due to unclear reasoning and failure to consider a June 2004 decision granting another veteran entitlement to disability benefits for diabetes mellitus resulting from herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The reduction in rating of coronary artery disease was not proper as there was no actual improvement in the disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and COPD. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection, as they are not shown to be related to his active military service or due to radiation exposure. The claims have been denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, effective from September 13, 2007. The condition requires insulin and restricted diet as part of its management.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he was exposed to commercial herbicides that contained dioxin and other contaminants, which could potentially trigger service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent. The effective date for this rating has been set as November 30, 2007.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension based on direct causation.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation on account of needing aid and attendance is being remanded due to its inextricability with the referred issues regarding service connection for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The referred issues will be adjudicated first.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as further examination and medical opinion are needed to address the functional effects of his combined service-connected disabilities, particularly in light of possible increase in severity since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish in-service exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange or suggest that he initially developed diabetes mellitus during service or within a year of service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure history.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Orange Park Medical Center from July 26 - August 1, 2012 were approved as the services rendered were for a disability of a veteran who has a total disability permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability (PTSD).