Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include as due to in-service herbicide exposure, is granted on a presumptive basis. The other claims are pending further development and review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including searching for unit records and logs related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The Veteran is entitled to a new rating decision based on this additional information.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms at the time of seeking care on July 8, 2010 were emergent in nature and VA facilities were not feasibly available. Therefore, the criteria for reimbursement have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus and chronic vasovagal syncope disorder, as well as a Statement of the Case on the issue of an initial rating greater than 10 percent for the service-connected chronic vasovagal syncope.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in unemployability. The case is REMANDED for an appropriate health care specialist to review the claims folder and provide a determination on whether the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is found to be causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant VA records, SSA disability benefits information, and any additional private medical records from the Veteran.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in unemployability. The case is REMANDED for an appropriate health care specialist to review the claims folder and provide a determination on whether the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease of the left lower extremity was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the appellant's claims for accrued benefits based on service connection for gallbladder condition, sickle cell anemia, stomach cancer, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) of the Board. The RO must ask the Veteran to clarify his preferred type of hearing and notify him of the date, time, and location if he chooses one.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has remanded the case due to a need to verify herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM II). The appeals were decided on a direct basis as there was no indication of any presumptive conditions or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, or a link between these conditions and his period of service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension are granted as presumptively related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a formal or informal request for this benefit prior to July 31, 2009.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are presumed incurred due to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran had noise exposure during service which likely contributed to his current condition.,Service connection for a bilateral leg and foot disability (presumed to be a skin disability) is granted as it is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, although there is no evidence of such exposure based on the provided information. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and spine disability are not established by the evidence presented.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as the Veteran has this condition and service treatment records show he was treated for thrombophlebitis during service, which may be related to his current condition.,Service connection for a spine disability is denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any increase in severity of the preexisting spine disability occurred due to natural progression.