The Board has decided the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his diabetes mellitus and dysthymic disorder. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, but a higher 40 percent rating is granted as of May 10, 2006. The claim for a TDIU is denied, and the issue regarding whether he filed a timely appeal in response to the denial of an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his heart disease must be resolved.
The deciding factor: The veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated based on its current manifestations since February 15, 2001. As of May 10, 2006, the disability requires more stringent management with regulation of activities, warranting a higher rating. The dysthymic disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2006
- Citation
- 0631971
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,669 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0631971.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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