The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for diabetes mellitus prior to June 23, 2009 or from then on, nor did it meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the hips.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes required insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. Episodes of ketoacidosis were noted but not frequent enough to warrant higher ratings. The evidence did not support separate evaluations for erectile dysfunction, diabetic maculopathy/retinopathy, or proteinuria as they were considered part of the diabetic process.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetic maculopathy, diabetic retinopathy, proteinuria, neuropathy, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1532331
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1532331.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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