Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran has been granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active military service. However, his claims of service connection for arthritis of the knees and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.,There is a lack of credible evidence demonstrating continuity of symptomatology for the Veteran's claimed knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently manifested by no more than the need for a restricted diet, and thus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that there is no current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation due to the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The effective date of January 12, 2009 was established based on presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be the result of Agent Orange exposure during active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address service connection and TDIU claims, including clarification of the Veteran's claim for a back disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hyperthyroidism, a respiratory disability, and kidney dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for plantar fascia and a right knee disorder, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetic retinopathy, finding that his service-connected conditions did not warrant such a rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's chronic Type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral rotator cuff tendonitis are granted as they were incurred as a result of VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and necrobiosis lipoidica and peripheral vascular disease are separately rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for tardive dyskinesia secondary to diabetic gastroparesis has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for various conditions. The effective date of the temporary total disability rating for surgery necessitating convalescence is set at September 3, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lincoln General Hospital from February 18, 2007 to February 23, 2007 is granted due to the emergent nature of his treatment and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran was not found to have peripheral neuropathy, and his claim for diabetes mellitus is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case should be returned for further action, including scheduling another hearing of the Veteran's choosing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including access to employment verification and VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder contributed substantially and materially to his death, which was caused by an acute myocardial infarction. The Board finds that the service-connected psychiatric disorder combined with other conditions to cause the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of diabetes mellitus and an evaluation of his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.