Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection are being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a back disability, and a right foot disability. The effective date of the temporary total evaluation based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and further development is required to determine if he was exposed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the appellant's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing proper VCAA notice. The Veteran passed away due to complications from congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Methodist Hospital of Southern California from February 9, 2007 to February 17, 2007 are now covered by VA. The Veteran was stabilized for transfer to a VA facility but no beds were available until the date of his discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, a chronic skin disorder (claimed as eczema and/or chloracne), peripheral neuropathy, and Type II diabetes mellitus were all denied. The evidence did not show any in-service or post-service connection to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that his diabetes required oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet, but not insulin or hospitalizations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure on Johnston Island. The claim for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was not granted as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, the evidence does not relate to a disease or injury in service, thus the claim remains denied.

The VA denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and the Veteran's military service or any incident thereof, including claimed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's service in Vietnam and thus denied his claims for service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and whether his diabetes mellitus is related to such exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, including as due to exposure to tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene in service. The Board has ordered additional attempts to obtain clinical records from Dr. B.T. and VA treatment records since March 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for neurological complications as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus was granted. However, his claims for increased rating and other secondary service connection issues remain denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not include new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a comprehensive VA examination to determine the current state of his diabetes mellitus, as the most recent medical evidence is from nearly four years ago.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective July 11, 2007, based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable as of this date that he could not obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.