Diabetes decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus and tinea pedis are appropriate, with a 40% evaluation granted for diabetes mellitus and a 10% evaluation for tinea pedis.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's combined evaluation for his disabilities is 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his period of service and thus, denied this claim. The Board found sufficient evidence to support a finding that hypertension was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his heart and pulmonary conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to disability was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for transient ischemic attacks is not well grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus will be remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The veteran died of cardiovascular disease due to hypertension. His service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits, finding that his conditions did not meet the schedular requirements for a permanent and total disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and thus denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding new and material evidence. The claim for hypertension remains denied as there is no direct evidence of a disability during or within one year after service.,The claim for diabetes mellitus was granted as there is current evidence of a confirmed diagnosis and treatment.

The Board has denied reopening claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, dizziness, and eye disabilities. The evidence received since the 1976 decisions is not considered new and material to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as his claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) as secondary to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for hypertension. The appeal is remanded to determine if the veteran has a current kidney disorder related to his service-connected diabetes or hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his knee and gout disabilities, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus and a skin condition claimed due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death (respiratory failure due to COPD) was not related to service or any incident therein, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, concluding that his symptoms were not due to service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of vision, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right elbow disorder, and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The appeals were not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied. The claim for reopening a previously denied service connection for stomach and bowel disorder remains closed due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, bilateral knee replacement, diabetes mellitus, and headaches. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.