The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or establish service connection.
The deciding factor: The veteran's diabetes mellitus was manageable by restricted diet only prior to November 23, 2005, and required insulin and restricted diet thereafter. There was no evidence of optic neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, nor was there new and material evidence to reopen the claim for removal of left little toe.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus, type II, Optic neuropathy (claimed as glaucoma), Peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2009
- Citation
- 0902311
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his death was related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as the evidence did not support the need for insulin or episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.
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