Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Veteran's cause of death is not considered service-connected prior to October 2, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension/high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease were denied as new and relevant evidence was not submitted. The issue of service connection for CAD was dismissed due to untimely filing.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome was improper due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE), and thus, the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA's PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion supporting the denial of benefits. The Board finds that the Veteran requires personal care services and supervision, meeting the basic medical eligibility criteria under PCAFC.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain more recent medical records from Advocate Medical Group.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with bilateral diabetic retinopathy and macular edema did not produce incapacitating episodes during the appeal period. Therefore, a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II with residuals and hypertension due to a duty to assist error in verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service near the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection and a rating of 60 percent effective May 20, 2010. The hyperkeratotic lesions of the foot are also considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes.,An earlier effective date of May 20, 2010, for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, including on a secondary basis, for GERD, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, venous stasis, left knee disorder, right and left knee disorders, and right hip disorder must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The effective dates for these grants of service connection will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.,Lumbar spondylosis, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right finger amputation, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and service connection for diabetic nephropathy, right foot contusion, vision condition, LLE PN, RLE PN, LUE PN, and RUE PN is dismissed due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for LLE PN, RLE PN, LUE PN, and RUE PN was dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to his death while the case was pending before the Board.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision, as the claims were not related to service connection.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, specifically affecting the femoral nerve, is rated at a 60 percent disability rating since February 14, 2025. The Veteran also received a 60 percent rating for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities involving the sciatic and common peroneal nerves. Additionally, he was granted a 60 percent rating for chronic renal disease with hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to the presumption being rebutted by probative evidence to the contrary. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his chronic pancreatitis, not herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim submitted before July 2, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for neck disorder and sleep apnea. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and relevant evidence received since the August 2019 rating decision, which suggests a possible connection between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and his service. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a TERA examination to determine if there is at least as likely as not that his diabetes is related to his service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a CEAT determination regarding the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits due to his service-connected conditions and daily living needs.