Diabetes decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), and alcohol and substance abuse disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service onset or relationship to service.,Service connection was denied as there was no persuasive evidence linking any current disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent each. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to potential herbicide exposure at Kadena Air Force Base. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression and anxiety, alcohol use disorder, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are all related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for microscopic hematuria as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension aggravated his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an esophageal condition, to include dysphagia, odynophagia, esophageal spasm and esophageal stricture, as well as a hernia, due to exposure to herbicides, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, low back disability, eye disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and SMC at the housebound rate due to deficiencies in obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to his active military service, specifically his Gulf War exposures.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low red blood cell count, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), hypertension, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII due to the need for additional National Guard records and a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction due to satisfaction with a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the AOJ made a pre-decisional error by failing to provide proper notice and associate relevant PCAFC records with the claims file. The claim is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's vertigo claim. The claims for diabetes and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity remain denied.

The Veteran was granted an earlier effective date of August 25, 2014 for his TDIU and DEA eligibility.,An earlier effective date of April 28, 2021 was denied for the award of SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, service connection for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for renal dysfunction (nephrolithiasis).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Board found that the proper effective date is September 19, 2022, when the ITF was received by VA. For the increased rating claim, the Board determined that the evidence did not support a higher than 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of medically necessary regulation of activities due to diabetes, which is required for a higher rating.,The Veteran also had his TDIU granted effective from June 15, 2023 until August 7, 2024 and from October 1, 2025.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and hypertension due to service connection. The VA examinations were deemed inadequate, and further examination is required.