Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA ambulance services provided on January 5, 2025 is granted as the treatment was rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including colon cancer, sleep apnea, respiratory disability, type II diabetes mellitus, enlarged prostate, diabetic neuropathy, heart disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied as there was no persuasive evidence to support the assertions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, bilateral knee condition, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus type II.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disability, left and right lower extremity diabetic and lumbar radiculopathy involving the femoral and sciatic nerves is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for fatigue and hypertension is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and his claimed heart condition.

Your appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 70 percent from October 4, 2024. A separate 20 percent rating for DMII is granted. The Veteran is granted a TDIU based solely on his adjustment disorder as of October 4, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim was decided based on direct service connection, not presumptive due to Vietnam Service.

SMC at the housebound rate is granted.,A rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic peripheral neuropathy is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic peripheral neuropathy is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected diabetic nephropathy is denied.,A compensable rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction is denied.,A compensable rating for service-connected pseudophakia with diabetic retinopathy is denied.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.,An effective date earlier than November 6, 2009, for the establishment of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 2, 2022, for the establishment of service connection for diabetic nephropathy is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 2, 2022, for the establishment of service connection for left carpal tunnel release scar is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 24, 2010, for basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) is denied.

The Board has already decided the issue of severance of service connection for DM II and restored it. Therefore, this appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus II has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance and/or being housebound has been denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of such benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a combined effects VA opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities since January 12, 2024. The AOJ should obtain this opinion and consider all conditions in determining whether he can secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of April 2, 2020, but no earlier, for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is granted due to his service-connected conditions requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, and hypertension are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Korea.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, despite meeting the criteria at the time of the February 2024 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding his service connection for the cause of death and related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Korea. The conditions are considered presumptively related to service.