Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus. The issues regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for residuals of a left shoulder disability and a back disability are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied it on a de novo basis. The claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure were also denied. Service connection for depression was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the destruction of his service medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's service connection claim for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the April 2003 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus was final, and no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim.

The Board found no additional disability resulting from the January 1976 spinal tap, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a spinal tap performed at a VA medical center in January 1976 resulting in low back pain.

The Board found that the veteran's current diabetes mellitus and heart disorder are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and diabetes mellitus is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type 2, is related to his active service and presumed herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection secondary to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to the type II diabetes mellitus. The claim for sinusitis is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and service connection for diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange while serving on a ship in Vietnam waters, and to obtain his medical records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to 70 percent, qualifying him for a TDIU. However, the RO needs to obtain a medical opinion regarding his employability based solely on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and dismissed the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from a doctor who treated the veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure in service, contributed materially or substantially to his death from metastatic adenocarcinoma. Service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction. The issues of entitlement to TDIU have also been addressed.