The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and denied service connection for coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's DMII required insulin injections and a restricted diet but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. The other claims were denied due to insufficient evidence linking them to service or establishing service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), Coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition), Essential hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), Retinopathy, Peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, Peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2009
- Citation
- 0900230
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,013 · Granted: 17% (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 0900230.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the proposal to discontinue service connection for residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, including special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is dismissed. The issues of right and left knee disorders, DMII, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is less likely than not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to the extent it is related to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder. The left knee disability, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are denied as not being related to service.
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