Diabetes decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition with left hip and leg sciatica, as well as diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred in June 1997 and February 1998 were not for or adjunct to a service-connected disability, leading to denial of reimbursement.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence showing additional disability resulting from the VA surgery, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that there was no clinical record prior to September 7, 1995, showing the criteria for aid and attendance benefits were met.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis with gastroesophageal reflux disease do not warrant increased disability evaluations beyond their current ratings.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is not well grounded because there is no medical evidence linking the condition to an incident of service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus, effective from November 24, 1993. The current level of disability is considered based on the appellant's need for insulin and restricted diet.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death is not well-grounded, and thus denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and transient ischemic attacks/cerebrovascular disease. The decision also noted that efforts should be made to obtain records from the Office of Personnel Management related to the veteran's disability retirement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to her military service. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and increased the rating for diabetes mellitus to 40 percent.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current diabetes mellitus to his active duty service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim as not well grounded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and finds it well-grounded. The new evidence, including medical articles linking NSAIDs to gastrointestinal and liver disease, supports a plausible link between the veteran's service-connected ankylosing spondylitis and his death.

The Board has determined that the claim is well grounded and grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is characterized by a requirement for insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one hospitalization per year. The Board has determined that the current manifestations more nearly approximate the criteria for a 60 percent evaluation than a 40 percent one.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current diabetes mellitus to his military service and denied the claim.