The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy. The RO denied the claim based on a 1997 paper from the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus. A VA examination is required to determine if the condition was present prior to or during active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not clearly establish that diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 13, 2016
- Citation
- 1635699
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 1635699.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left arm tremors. Service connection for right hand tremors is also granted. The Veteran's tinnitus claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus.
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