Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has restored the previously reduced disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that there was no actual improvement in these conditions at the time of reduction.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA treatment is granted as the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 are met due to permanent service-connected disability, medical emergency, and unavailability of a VA facility.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing issue, and no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicides. The peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be caused by the diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The case will be remanded for a VA examination and further analysis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease and erectile dysfunction, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The claim has been remanded due to the need for further verification regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including an examination to determine if the Veteran has type I diabetes mellitus and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining statements from a potential witness regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating of type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for peripheral vascular disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's diabetes required regulation of activities, and his peripheral neuropathy was not shown to be compensable.

The Board found that current hypertension is not caused by, or increased in severity beyond the natural progress of the disease by, service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining statements from a friend who served with him and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of regulation of activities or hospitalizations due to ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and finds new evidence sufficient to establish an in-service stressor. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II and glaucoma are denied as there is no competent and credible evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.