Diabetes Board decisions

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, bursitis of the right shoulder, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, hearing loss of the left ear, pansinusitis, diverticulum of the esophagus and duodenum, and heel spurs of the right os calcis. The veteran was not shown to have been exposed to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has determined that proper VCAA notice was not provided and the case must be remanded to provide such notice.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of August 12, 1991, for DIC benefits due to her informal claim received on that date. The decision also noted that there was no information or evidence suggesting a prior claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a 100% schedular rating as of December 9, 2005. The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU due to these conditions.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center were not reimbursable due to the availability of a VA facility, and the veteran did not meet all criteria for reimbursement under applicable laws.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, bilateral leg disability, diabetes, and liver problems secondary to hepatitis C have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective from January 28, 2002. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date due to lack of unemployment or unemployability prior to this date.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of regulation of activities required to control the condition.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20% and PTSD at 50%. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 40% for both conditions is warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any disease, injury, or event in service. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating for tinnitus and for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The veteran was not granted retroactive benefits due to VA's failure to notify him about the change in regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for Type II diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and tinnitus. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for his left inguinal hernia, did not reopen his previously-denied service connection claim for a heart condition, denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostatitis, and declined to provide extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pancreatitis is not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease was granted, but with initial evaluations of 20 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no current diagnosis of diabetes and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the case is dismissed.