Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity has been granted a 40 percent disability rating effective June 30, 2008. The left upper extremity is rated at 30 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides during his Navy service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible chemical exposures during his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 30, 2006, for the grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim for TDIU prior to June 30, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Korea, is being remanded for additional development. The Department of the Army will be requested to provide records related to basketball tournaments played by the 7th Infantry Division and Eighth Army Conference teams during his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied because the prescribed medication used for his service-connected disabilities did not cause permanent damage to his outer garments, and he does not qualify under the regulation due to lack of a skin condition.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease but denied all other claims due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has not required insulin and regulation of activities, thus the current 20% rating for this condition is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The low back disorder is also service connected.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus) has been established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim is granted as presumptive service connection can be established based on this evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's renal cancer was caused by herbicide exposure and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, with diabetes mellitus as a significant condition. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of his death based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam. However, the VA has not verified any temporary duty assignments in Vietnam during the appellant's period of service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. The appeal was dismissed as there were no pending claims or entitlements to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and esophageal cancer are being remanded for additional VA examinations to determine if they are related to service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran also has a claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss which is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type I or type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a proper VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for arterial hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, chronic venous insufficiency of the left and right lower extremities (claimed as poor circulation), and a heart condition all secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition requires regulation of activities due to diabetes.