Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that a new VCAA notice is required, and the case must be remanded for further development including medical opinions on whether service-connected conditions contributed to the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including a statement of the case on service connection for peripheral neuropathy and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and arthritis, finding no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are currently rated at 20% and 10% respectively, resulting in a combined rating of 50%. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy, as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical records do not support these claims. The veteran's service was outside the areas where Agent Orange exposure was confirmed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that his diabetes is Type I and not due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The preponderance of evidence shows it is due to a nonservice-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's VA Form 9, received in January 2004 is not a timely filed substantive appeal as to the issue of service connection for PTSD. As such, this issue is dismissed.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for stomach and leg disorders, leaving no issues remaining for the Board to consider.

The VA denied the veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus and his request for a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy and hypertension. The RO found that the veteran was not using insulin or requiring dietary restrictions, which prevented him from receiving a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's diagnosed conditions of diabetes mellitus and chronic lymphocytic leukemia to his military service, including any exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, effective April 21, 1997. The veteran's Diabetes Mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent, also effective April 21, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a separate compensable evaluation for diabetic cataracts, diabetic onychomycosis of both feet, or an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for diabetic nephropathy. The appeal is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at June 29, 2006. The TDIU claim is also granted from May 20, 2004.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a TDIU due to outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as authorization from the veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, which could potentially grant service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no current disability that warrants a compensable rating. The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and malaria. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent; his diabetes mellitus requires oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet but does not necessitate insulin or activity regulation; and there is no evidence of active disease process or residuals from malaria.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type I, existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus (claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange), right knee disability, and loss of the left eye. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.