Diabetes decisions — 2001

The veteran's chronic disabilities, including non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and a psychiatric condition (exhibitionism, voyeurism), do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to sepsis, attributed to decubitus ulcers on the veteran's heel. The Board found that diabetes mellitus and renal failure contributed significantly but service-connected varicose veins did not play a substantial role in causing or contributing to the veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of the knees. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for a back disorder due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since service.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly dependency and indemnity compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate due to insufficient evidence showing he requires such assistance.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between his service-connected varicose veins and the underlying causes of death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was not established, and the right knee and left knee disabilities were rated based on their current manifestations.

The RO reduced the veteran's diabetes mellitus evaluation from 60 percent to 20 percent effective July 1, 2000. The RO also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability as of July 9, 1992, and an effective date for Chapter 35 benefits (Dependents' Education Assistance) earlier than October 14, 1999.

The veteran's death was due to various heart conditions and diabetes, which were not related to service or a service-connected disability. The appellant is denied eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left below-the-knee amputation was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of left leg anterior compartment syndrome release, and thus denied secondary service connection for this condition.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating, and he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and glaucoma with cataracts, finding that the veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his active duty service.

The appellant's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his combined disability rating of 40 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, concluding that neither cardiovascular disease nor diabetes mellitus was incurred in or aggravated by service and were not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, low back disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The claim for increased rating of cervical spine condition is granted to a 40% disability rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing a link between his military service and the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform daily functions of self-care and protect himself from hazards, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his various disabilities, including cholecystitis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, pneumonia with infected pleural fluid, right empyema, cystitis with hematuria, anemia, degenerative joint disease of the shoulders and neck, torn left rotator cuff, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.