The veteran's diabetes mellitus is aggravated by the pancreatitis. Hypercholesterolemia, hypokalemia, and diverticulosis are not shown to be separate disabilities or currently present. Depression was not caused or aggravated by the pancreatitis. The veteran's current rating for pancreatitis remains at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA medical records show that the veteran's diabetes mellitus worsened after the September 1997 pancreatitis episode, requiring insulin therapy. Hypercholesterolemia and hypokalemia were not shown to be separate disabilities or currently present. The weight of evidence does not support a link between depression and the September 1997 pancreatitis.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, diabetes mellitus, diverticulosis, hypercholesterolemia, hypokalemia, hypothyroidism
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 4, 2004
- Citation
- 0411586
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0411586.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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- Remanded (sent back)
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