Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange, and the veteran's current disabilities were not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board denied service connection as there was no direct link between his claimed conditions and active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus existed prior to his enlistment for active service in December 2004 and was not aggravated during his second period of active service. The VA examiner concluded that the progression of the Veteran's diabetes would have been the same whether he was in service or in civilian life, with damage done by past non-compliance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims is related to his exposure to contaminated water during service. The Board has requested a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for ostomy due to chronic ulcerative colitis, secondary to PTSD with dysthymic disorder, is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's treatment regimen did not require regulation of activities due to his diabetes, and thus a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to incomplete SPRs and the need to verify herbicide exposure in Thailand. The case will be readjudicated based on a de novo review of the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional opinions regarding the relationship between hypertension and service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and related disorders, including as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam and Thailand, is denied because there is no evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of diabetic nephropathy, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of his other conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The appellant's current conditions are believed to be related to his military service exposure to noise and herbicides.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand and to arrange for a VA examination. The appeal is also remanded for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case due to new evidence received by the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased disability rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to January 8, 2008 and from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, subject to the controlling regulations applicable to the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there is no indication that it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7913. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met, as there is no evidence of regulation of activities due to diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including VA examinations and the provision of updated medical records. The issues are service connection for hepatitis C and an initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 25, 2008 at Memorial Hospital were not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under applicable laws.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.