Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities (sciatic nerve branches) effective April 8, 2019. Initial ratings of 30 percent have been granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities (femoral nerve branches).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, gastrointestinal problems, and pancreatitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), deviated nasal septum, and/or diabetes mellitus with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection on August 30, 2018, as a compensable complication of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for dyslipidemia, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and major depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure by VA to obtain relevant private treatment records, including from Dr. K and Dr. N, which may be pertinent to the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted service connection as they are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and polyneuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes as there is no current disability found in these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities of diabetes mellitus, type II and GERD caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for initial compensable evaluation for skin cancer, peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, GERD, lung condition, liver condition, low back condition, and diabetes mellitus, type II are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2, are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since October 10, 2009. His TDIU claim is granted as of that date.

The claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus II, and high blood pressure remain denied as new and relevant evidence has not been received.,The claims for cervical spine condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition are all denied due to lack of service connection or no showing of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being reviewed to determine if they contributed to his death, which would be a significant factor in the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and actinic keratosis are granted. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied from March 3, 2023.

The Veteran's heart conditions, including CAD, MI, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, supraventricular arrhythmia, and CABG are granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure. DM is also granted. Peripheral neuropathy of the LLE, RLE, LUE, and RUE is granted secondary to DM.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure while stationed along the DMZ in Korea. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's presence and duties near the DMZ.