The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy of both feet is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 13, 2004.,From May 13, 2004 to October 18, 2006, the Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was rated at 10 percent; and his left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent.,Since October 18, 2006, the Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy has been rated at 20 percent; and his left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy has been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination revealed that the Veteran was taking two shots of insulin per day, which resulted in a higher rating for diabetes mellitus. The neuropathy ratings were based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, bilateral diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 24, 2009
- Citation
- 0923840
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 0923840.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral upper and lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding toxic exposures during military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral diabetic retinopathy based on visual acuity findings that did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied a separate compensable rating for bilateral diabetic retinopathy and remanded the claims for service connection for skin condition, chloracne, acne, soft tissue sarcoma (basal cell carcinoma) due to herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of vision disorders and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that further medical opinions are needed to adequately address the veteran's conditions.
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