Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings, with effective dates of November 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine at C5-C7, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for degraded visual acuity and granted a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's death was caused by septic shock, bacteremia, and transient ischemic attack. The Board finds that the service-connected diabetes mellitus has played a role in producing or hastening the Veteran's death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for travel pay to obtain a prosthetic leg and shower leg from the Institute for Advancement in Prosthetics (IAP) in Lansing, Michigan was granted as it is deemed necessary due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as claims for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. The case is being remanded due to the need to address a clear and unmistakable error in the August 2002 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical opinions. The appeal involves multiple issues arising from different rating decisions spanning over two decades.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and determining the extent of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including confirmation of herbicide exposure and a VA examination to determine if any skin rash is related to service. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, skin rash, and rheumatic heart disease due to herbicide exposure are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell's palsy, diabetes mellitus type II, and pancreatic pseudocysts. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or exposure to environmental toxins.

The Veteran's initial claim of a higher rating for diabetes mellitus prior to January 1, 2007 was denied. The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent in October 2006 was upheld. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and hemangiomas were not granted.

The Board finds that service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is warranted, as the Veteran's current diagnosis can be traced back to his active duty period. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2 is also granted due to the established link between the two conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to any service-connected disability.,At the time of his death, the Veteran had a combined 70% evaluation for his service-connected disabilities and did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides in Korea and determine if he was part of a unit that provided support to the 7th Infantry Division. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development including obtaining Social Security records, VA outpatient records, and medical opinions.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus type I did not manifest during service or within one year of the Veteran's discharge, and thus denied service connection. For the low back disorder, the Board concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.