Diabetes Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension did not develop as a result of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was granted a 30% rating effective from January 7, 2008. The Board also addressed the issue of increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus and granted a 50% rating effective from April 25, 2011.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his adult-onset diabetes mellitus and dermatitis of the left hand did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The appeal is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and pilonidal cystectomy were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions required regulation of activities or necessitated hospitalizations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and therefore meets the presumptive criteria for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with bilateral cataracts and hypertension, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted, with an effective date of April 20, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the possibility of current diagnosis and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with cataracts was denied as there is no evidence that his condition met the criteria for a grant of service connection on May 8, 2001, when diabetes mellitus was added to the list of presumptive diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and diabetes mellitus Type II, as well as reopening of a previously denied claim for myelodysplasia. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service in 'Brown Water' Vietnam and a medical opinion on whether diabetes mellitus contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are granted as service-connected, with the diabetes being due to exposure to TCE during service. The issue of a compensable rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from January 1, 2006, to January 13, 2008 is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper, left lower, and right lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents based on service in or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971. Therefore, diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to his request for withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and SSA disability decision.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Halifax Health Medical Center on June 29, 2009 and June 30, 2009 were denied as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. VA facilities were located within reasonable distance from his home but he did not attempt to use them.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, claimed as a result of exposure to herbicides, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his alleged Vietnam service and potential exposure. The Veteran's request for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Panama and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic ear disorder, and chronic sinus disorder as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty.