The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of regulation of activities due to diabetes mellitus, and thus, the criteria for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus were not met.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show that the Veteran's diabetes required avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20073085
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 Board denied an initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and tendinitis, cervical spine spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar scoliosis and lumbar spine degenerative changes.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD, granted an earlier effective date of August 14, 2024, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, and denied other claims including entitlement to an effective date prior to April 3, 2025, for the grant of a 100 percent rating evaluation for CAD.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and polycythemia vera were dismissed due to procedural issues. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
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