The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, finding that the earliest allowable effective date is September 8, 2004. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be consistent with a 20 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran had diabetes prior to the May 2001 change in law allowing presumptive service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure and his initial application was more than a year after this change. The symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they required insulin, restricted diet, but no restriction of activities.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, cataracts
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18121404
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 18121404.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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