Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and cataracts are being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus was dismissed as he did not file a timely substantive appeal.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, he is not eligible for service-connected burial allowance.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disability. The evidence did not show exposure to herbicides in Okinawa or any other location where Agent Orange was used. There is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board determined that the veteran's medical treatment at Albany General Hospital on April 15 and 16, 2006 was not for an emergency condition requiring immediate care. The closest VA facility was feasibly available but could not be safely transferred to due to distance.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vascular disease, cerebrovascular accident, osteoporosis, and dermatitis, due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims were found not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, high triglycerides, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and residuals of a broken nose due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and hearing loss, are granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, finding that the earliest effective date is April 4, 2006.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not associated with his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's liver cancer and lung cancer, including any connection with Agent Orange exposure or other conditions, contributed to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetic nephropathy and diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure during his military service. The Board finds that the presumption of exposure to herbicides does not apply as there is no evidence of service in Vietnam. However, the veteran may still make a claim for direct service connection based on herbicide exposure outside of the Republic of Vietnam. The case is REMANDED for further verification of the veteran's alleged service at Eglin AFB and potential herbicide exposure.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at O'Connor Hospital from October 6, 2005 to November 3, 2005 are granted as the VA facilities were not feasibly available and no prior authorization was given.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus was denied as the law prohibits retroactive increases after service connection has been terminated.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and morbid obesity. The veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The RO has granted service connection for tremors (peripheral neuropathy) of the hands and assigned a 20 percent evaluation to each hand, while continuing a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus. The case is now remanded due to the veteran's request for a travel board hearing.

The veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, which reflects the need for insulin and mild background retinopathy. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.