Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, and also granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right upper, right lower, left upper, and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, headaches, and a cardiovascular disability due to VA treatment on August 9, 2019. The Veteran contends that he was prescribed Jardiance (Empagliflozin) instead of Metformin, leading to complications such as DKA, renal failure, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, sleep apnea, dizziness, and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus II, ischemic heart disease, and bladder cancer due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand both claims for obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II due to inadequate VA examinations that did not address all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and assistance of another person due to service-connected disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and various peripheral neuropathies have been granted increased ratings. Effective August 16, 2023, the Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU rating and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence. The Board is unable to determine if there was a factual increase in disability prior to the effective dates requested, or if service connection should be granted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his TDIU based on PTSD with major depressive disorder alone is not sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes, OSA, and hypertension on a secondary basis to OSA. The diagnoses are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding obesity as an intermediate step in causing or aggravating these conditions, and because of potential toxic exposure during service.

The Veteran's initial PCAFC application was granted in December 2022, effective from December 21, 2022. The Board found that the criteria for eligibility were met since his initial application in December 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty at Fort McClellan. The Board also found support for secondary service connection for diabetic neuropathy of various extremities, peripheral vascular disease, and gastroparesis as secondary to DM.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to obtain his complete service personnel records and service treatment records, which were received prior to the issuance of the decision on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, along with other physical conditions such as end stage renal disease, left eye blindness, and cognitive impairment, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC at the rate provided by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and a procedural error in failing to consider new evidence.,The AOJ will obtain addendum medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and CAD with history of STEMI.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy and prostate cancer due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The RO is instructed to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and exposure to Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's death was caused by or secondary to a service-connected disorder, and the Board has granted entitlement to a service-connected burial allowance. However, the appellant's claim for a plot/interment allowance is denied as she did not incur any costs associated with such an interment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 21, 2025.

The Board dismissed the issue of reducing the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II rating from 40 percent to 20 percent as premature.