The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence that it is etiologically related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability. For the lumbar spine disability, the Board found that a 40 percent rating, but no higher, is warranted from October 2017 and thereafter.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for diabetes mellitus type II or secondary to a service-connected disability. For the lumbar spine disability, the Board found that while there was pain on flexion at 30 degrees from October 2017 onwards, this did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 40 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine, diabetes mellitus, type II
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20053133
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 20053133.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted on a secondary basis with obesity serving as an intermediate step due to service-connected low back disability, sciatica, and right shoulder disabilities.
- Whole decision: 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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