Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, sleep apnea, bilateral wrist condition, and right knee condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for diabetes. The Veteran's current treatment records indicate a diagnosis of diabetes, which is sufficient to trigger VA's duty to assist. Therefore, the case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if there is a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence and the current diagnosis of diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that the Veteran may have been exposed to toxic substances during his service, including RF radiation and asbestos. However, VA did not obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between these exposures and the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to exposure to toxic chemicals during military service. The conditions are presumed related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) with bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and hypertension due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The Board found that there was no exposure to herbicide agents during service and that the Veteran did not have any in-service onset or relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of an opinion addressing aggravation and obesity's role in OSA.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the March 2025 decision. The Board requires a medical opinion from CEAT regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services and supervision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is aggravated by his service-connected colon cancer treatment or exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left hand condition, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board found that there is no evidence of a continuity of symptoms since service or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot bunionectomy, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), and a left eye injury. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy was denied as the appeal was not timely filed. The proposed reduction of his prostate cancer rating from 100% to 0% effective May 1, 2026, is deemed proper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a rectal condition and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension contributed to his death from severe sepsis due to pneumonia and urinary tract infection. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after resolving the service connection issues.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal regarding the issues of diabetes mellitus II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, migraine headaches, and diabetic nephropathy. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and headaches due to new and relevant evidence submitted after previous decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking any of the immediate or contributing causes of his death to his period of active duty service. The Board also found that the PACT Act did not apply in this case as the Veteran served prior to the period when herbicide agents were presumed used.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and Agent Orange during service. The claims are now pending for further development.