The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that his DMII required regulation of activities to avoid complications. For the period prior to April 24, 2013, the Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as there was no evidence showing he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s DMII did not require regulation of activities and his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy did not have a functional impact on his ability to work, thus denying both claims for increased ratings and TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), bilateral lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20070549
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,812 · Granted: 30% (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 20070549.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's cause of death due to these conditions is also recognized.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), as secondary to a service-connected disability. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and finds that his obesity is due, at least in part, to his service-connected musculoskeletal disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for DMII, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and bowel resection are granted. The claim for OSA is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the August 2023 rating decision granting a TDIU was not an initial decision, making the appellant eligible for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded.
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.