Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient medical nexus to establish a relationship between the current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional VA medical records and Social Security Administration records, as well as an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected pancreatitis proximately caused or aggravated his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including a response from Dr. F., an examination of the Veteran's hypertension, and a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the loss of his VA file and incomplete medical records. He is seeking service connection for various conditions related to diabetes mellitus, type 2, including amputation, neuropathy, and a lumbar spine disability, all allegedly due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, diagnosed as diabetic nephropathy, is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not considered secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the appellant's diabetes mellitus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active duty for training, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's accrued compensation benefits held in a PFOP account are denied as the appellant is not eligible to receive them due to her status as a sibling and having been reimbursed for funeral expenses.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for color blindness, and service connection for diabetes mellitus were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The Board found that there was no evidence of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year post-service, thus denying service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and impotence. The criteria for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus have not been met; the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation or higher for diabetic retinopathy have not been met; the criteria for an evaluation greater than 10 percent for hypertension have not been met; and the criteria for a compensable rating for impotence have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection for diabetes and associated renal dysfunction was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted, but his diabetes mellitus claim due to herbicide exposure was denied. The Board is remanding the PTSD issue for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm and shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to his left shoulder disability, cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the BUE, psychiatric disability, vision loss, hypertension, sexual dysfunction, and bilateral feet problems are all denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 21, 2002 for the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to the appellant's disabilities rendering her unable to care for herself.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to chemical agents in service, including DDT, TCE, and PCE. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional lay or written evidence regarding his alleged exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.