Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to lack of blindness or deafness resulting from service-connected disability, and his current disabilities do not warrant an increase in SMC.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for diabetes, right hip condition, and an effective date for the increased rating of lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for hypertensive heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II.

The appeal of the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to his non-service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus type II due to service, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's condition is related to his service-connected mast cell activation syndrome or TERA exposure. The VA must obtain a new medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, fibromyalgia, heart condition, thyroid disorder, primary optic atrophy of the bilateral eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, CAD, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to in-service exposure to diesel fuel exhaust.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy conditions are rated at 30 percent, effective January 29, 2025. Service connection for OSA is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, drug abuse, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for accrued benefits for diabetes mellitus II, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam is presumed and that he currently has a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of development related to Agent Orange exposure and solvent/asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, diabetes mellitus II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient examination addressing all aspects of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, including diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination to determine if his kidney disability is related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the complexity of the issues and the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The claims are based on presumptive service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, urinary issue, right hip arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and various types of neuropathy were denied. A TDIU was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for urinary frequency, as secondary to hypertension and non-service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The other claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and type II based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), but found no CUE in the September 2009 rating decision. The Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure was not addressed.