The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is found to have aggravated his diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also finds that the Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are caused by his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's noncompliance with treatment for diabetes was related to worsening mental health symptoms, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Board finds that these conditions aggravated each other in a reciprocal manner, leading to uncontrolled diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy affecting the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21028076
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 21028076.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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