Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus (DM) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that his DM required regulation of activities, and thus he could only be rated at the 20 percent level.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetic nephropathy as a complication of DM was also denied. The Board noted that the evidence did not show that the Veteran had renal dysfunction or other compensable complications from his diabetes.

The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran required insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, and a restricted diet to manage his DM but did not require regulation of activities. The Board found this insufficient for a higher rating.,Regarding diabetic nephropathy, the VA examination reports noted no renal dysfunction or other compensable complications from the diabetes.

Claimed conditions
Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Diabetic Nephropathy
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
October 2, 2019
Citation
19176276

Veterans Law Judge

MICHAEL A. PAPPAS

Decisions by this judge: 1,858 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19176276.

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.

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.