Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the December 2004 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and that his current condition is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and blurred vision (diabetic retinopathy) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities has been denied or granted with effective dates ranging from September 10, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, effective prior to April 8, 2005 for the grant of SMC due to erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's coronary artery disease remains rated at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding service connection for cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for additional actions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Thailand. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus as it is likely attributable to events during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to active service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA eye examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran had in-service herbicide exposure, presumptively associated with type II diabetes mellitus. However, further medical examination is needed to determine if these conditions are linked to the claimed disabilities.

The Board determined that the Veteran did not serve within the land borders of Vietnam, and there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, could not be granted based on presumptive exposure or direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist and arm disabilities, as well as a left hand disability for purposes of accrued benefits. The Veteran's lung disability is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination deemed necessary to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities (with respect to impact on employment) means that this claim must be denied as a matter of law.

The Board found no evidence linking the causes of the Veteran's death to his service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, as well as the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not established, and there are no chronic symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The issues are about the rating for diabetes mellitus and whether new evidence supports reopening his right knee disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on herbicide exposure was granted in November 2007 with an effective date of August 23, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date.