Diabetes Board decisions

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met and affirmed the denial.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed, on any basis, to have been incurred or aggravated therein. The Board also found that the other claimed disabilities are not related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective April 3, 2004.

The Board has determined that the current evidentiary record is out of date and requires additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the appellant for a current VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and lung cancer, finding that the veteran's disabilities did not manifest during or within one year after his military service. The Board also concluded that there was no evidence to show that the veteran set foot in Vietnam, thus precluding presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, which was under control prior to his death, contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence showing it required additional treatment beyond what was already provided.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a rescheduled hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding no competent evidence that these conditions were related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange, as there is no credible evidence showing he was present in Vietnam or had any contact with contaminated water.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus should be March 29, 2003, as this is the date the claim was received by VA.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and did not have a relationship to any aspect of his service. The Board also found no evidence of presumptive exposure to herbicides due to his service in Vietnam.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims was caused by Agent Orange exposure during his military service in Korea. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's unit performed duties near the DMZ where Agent Orange was used.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, with no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, effective from October 16, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial evaluation and an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting either claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted with an effective date of May 8, 2001. The initial rating assigned is 20 percent.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, which requires insulin and a restricted diet or an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet, warrants an initial 40 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred as a result of his active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The issues regarding increased ratings for service-connected lumbosacral strain and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.