Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others denied. The veteran was granted service connection for various conditions but had his hearing loss rating continued at noncompensable level.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for diabetic retinopathy and an effective date prior to July 18, 2001 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the notification provided under the VCAA.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to herbicides in Korea. The veteran is asked to provide more specific information about his alleged stressors, including witnessing plastic bags filled with dead bodies floating down a river during service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities and to consider both old and new criteria for evaluating respiratory disorders. The case is being remanded to the RO for these purposes.

The veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, sexual dysfunction, amputation of right leg, arteriosclerosis, and enlarged heart were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have diabetes mellitus and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an opinion regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to herbicides including Agent Orange is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his lay testimony regarding the stressors he experienced during his service in Saudi Arabia is accepted as conclusive evidence of their occurrence.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam is presumed and thus he qualifies for presumptive service connection.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and related conditions are currently rated at the maximum available disability ratings.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for his impotency, which is not a symptom of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and providing specific VCAA notification.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including addressing secondary service connection claims for multiple conditions associated with diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of type II diabetes mellitus, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral diabetic neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange was granted by the RO on February 20, 2003 with an effective date of May 8, 2001. The veteran's original claim for service connection was received in June 19, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and a mood disorder, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected skin disability. The VA found no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestos exposure), diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer. The reasons were that there was no demonstrated current disability or in-service event related to these conditions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was manifested by a restricted diet and insulin, without the need for regulation of activities such as avoidance of strenuous occupational or recreational activities. The criteria for entitlement to an initial rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus have not been met.