Diabetes decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total rating for pension purposes was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The RO noted that the veteran had been advised of the consequences of failing to appear for the examination, but did not provide this information in detail.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his severe psychiatric impairment, pain, nervousness, anxiety, and impairments of concentration and memory has been established. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting special monthly pension based on this need.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated in active service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted with an effective date of February 11, 2000. The veteran's daughter is also eligible for Dependent's Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The veteran has an employment handicap and meets the criteria for basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to a special monthly allowance based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her disabilities, as she does not meet the criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The Board found no probative credible evidence to establish service connection for the cause of death, and denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no evidence showing a direct link between any service-connected disability and his death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service-connected death benefits due to new evidence. However, it was determined that there is no causal connection between the veteran's death and active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, gout, and prostatitis as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's severe back disability, along with other conditions, meets the criteria for special monthly pension benefits due to the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back strain and for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The decision noted that there was no probative evidence indicating the veteran received treatment for chronic low back pain during his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The veteran's diabetes and sarcoidosis have been granted service connection, while his hepatitis claim has not. The veteran is currently rated at the maximum disability rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has granted increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, headaches secondary to fragment wound, and polypoid right frontal sinus. The other claims remain unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and residuals of a left olecranon fracture, finding that the current ratings were appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus could aggravate his low back pain, resulting in a grant of secondary service connection for low back disability.

The Board finds that the appellant's claim for accrued pension benefits was filed in a timely manner, and that the requirements for entitlement to accrued benefits based on the veteran's entitlement to increased disability pension benefits during the income reporting year immediately prior to his death due to exclusion of unreimbursed medical expenses from countable income are met.