The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye condition (including bilateral glaucoma and ocular hypertension), bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and metabolic syndrome. The decision also denied service connection for metabolic syndrome due to pyramiding.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his active duty service, and that his eye condition, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are proximately due to or the result of his diabetes mellitus. Service connection for metabolic syndrome was denied as it would violate the rule against pyramiding.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, eye condition (including bilateral glaucoma and ocular hypertension), bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, metabolic syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23017193
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 23017193.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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