Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Veteran is granted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance at the rate provided by 38 U.S.C. 1114(r)(1), due to his service-connected stable angina, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, and Alzheimer's disease associated with diabetes mellitus type II.

The appeal of the proposal to discontinue service connection for residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, including special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is dismissed. The issues of right and left knee disorders, DMII, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board denied compensation for DM2 and bilateral cataract disability due to VA care or treatment, finding that the proximate cause of these disabilities was not due to VA's fault.,The Veteran claimed that incorrect medication caused his additional disabilities, but the VA physician found no evidence supporting this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, diabetes, right ankle tendonitis, and depressive disorder have been granted with effective dates of May 15, 2021. The rating assigned is 10% for right ankle tendonitis.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for an examination that properly assesses his disability picture in relation to his theory of entitlement, specifically focusing on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted at a 70 percent evaluation, effective November 17, 2022. The rating for chronic kidney disease remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, Type II and related peripheral neuropathies as well as erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease due to in-service exposure to toxic substances. The AOJ is required to verify whether the USS Suribachi was a brown water ship known to transport Agent Orange and obtain a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The RO should obtain a TERA opinion considering all applicable exposures, including asbestos and ignited substances.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the PACT Act requiring a TERA-specific examination and secondary service connection evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to issues related to obesity, lumbosacral strain, left ankle strain, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The Veteran's obesity is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for colorectal cancer, a disability rating more than 60 percent for nephrosclerosis associated with type II diabetes mellitus, TDIU, and an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's claims for financial assistance for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to diabetes and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, CAD, and ED are granted. The conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bradyarrhythmia status post dual-chamber pacemaker placement, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to a failure to verify the Veteran's reported herbicide agent exposure during service. The AOJ is instructed to take all appropriate steps to verify this exposure and issue a TERA memorandum regarding toxic exposures.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for vertigo secondary to service-connected tinnitus is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to November 22, 2021, for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and dependency and indemnity compensation (DEA). The Board found that there was no evidence showing the Veteran could not maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, GERD, left shoulder disability, lower back disability, OSA, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate to adjudicate the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and hepatitis C, as they did not consider all reasonably raised theories of entitlement. The case is being remanded to obtain addendum VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease due to conflicting findings regarding herbicide exposure during service. The AOJ is instructed to provide a reconciled TERA memorandum addressing whether the Veteran participated in a TERA and if so, whether they were exposed to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PTSD, DMII, left upper DPN, right upper DPN, left lower DPN, and right lower DPN are all denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.