The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s DM with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum evaluation available based on insulin and dietary restrictions. His diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is rated at 10 percent each, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to mild symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM), Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity - Sciatic Nerve, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity - Sciatic Nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 18, 2019
- Citation
- A19002092
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,963 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19002092.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM) has been reopened and granted. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding DM.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or his service-connected DM, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.