Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a cardiovascular disorder. The evidence did not show exposure to herbicides or other presumed conditions associated with Agent Orange, nor was there any direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision disorder, respiratory disorder, or heart disorder on either a direct or presumptive basis. The claims were therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetic neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetic neuropathy was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening of the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the hypertension claim. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus is not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the earliest date of receipt of his claim is February 28, 2004.

The veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations of all service-connected disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and skin cancer (claimed as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma) are not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertensive heart disease are not service-connected as claimed. The claims were denied due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset or connection to service.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing regional ileitis with bowel resection did not worsen during service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent rating, effective May 2001.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since May 16, 2003. He is also granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination report of September 2004, which did not provide sufficient information regarding whether regulation of activities was medically required for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information regarding the veteran's service connection claims, including verification of in-service stressors for PTSD and exposure to herbicides for diabetes mellitus. The low back disability claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus, type II with impotency. The veteran was previously rated at 10 percent prior to March 12, 2003 and at 20 percent from that date onwards.

The Board has ordered the RO to search for and obtain medical records from the veteran's treatment at Samson Naval Hospital and Leavenworth VAMC, as well as provide due process notice regarding previously service-connected conditions. The case is then remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding no current diagnosis or evidence of these conditions during service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it. The case of diabetes mellitus remains pending as a remand is required.