Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his residuals of a fracture of the cervical spine with traumatic arthritis, disc herniation at C6-7 are rated at 20 percent for orthopedic manifestations and separately at 20 percent each for mild incomplete paralysis of the right upper extremity and left (dominant) upper extremity. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus no presumption of exposure to herbicides applies. The claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and cerebral vascular disease have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of increased rating for diabetes mellitus and whether new and material evidence has been received for residuals of colon cancer are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 8, 2005, for the grant of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus. The appeal is based on a direct service connection without any claims related to exposure or presumptions.

The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and his current diabetes mellitus, and denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Type 1 diabetes mellitus due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as the issue of whether his diabetes was aggravated in service or related to service remains unclear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and the need for further consideration of his claims, including a TDIU issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted effective March 14, 2006. The disease is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case will be dismissed as there are no allegations of errors of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the current condition is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus may have manifested during her period of active duty for training, and she is seeking service connection for this condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus had its onset during her ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during service, and thus cannot establish service connection for diabetes mellitus type II or recurrent hyperparathyroidism on a presumptive basis. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a skin disease. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was not addressed as it is related to another issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam. The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right elbow has been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy and erectile dysfunction is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating as it does not result in regulation of activities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting statements regarding his military duties.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a general medical examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after resolving any issues related to hypertension.

The Board found that the reduction in evaluation from 100% to 60% was proper due to lack of material improvement in the Veteran's physical condition, despite her kidney transplant.