The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied. The Board found that the diabetes mellitus was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault during his 1996 VA hospitalization. Cardiomegaly and a back disorder are not service-connected. The Veteran's esophagitis is not manifested by ulceration of the lower esophagus, no dilations have been required, and it does not meet criteria for a separate compensable rating. GERD with IBS does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault during his 1996 VA hospitalization. Cardiomegaly and a back disorder are not service-connected. The Veteran's esophagitis does not meet criteria for a separate compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), back disorder, esophagitis with GERD with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2010
- Citation
- 1042026
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 1042026.
What this means for you
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