The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, ischemic heart disease, and depressive disorder, but granted special monthly compensation from May 23, 2017.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the criteria required for higher ratings due to the lack of regulation of activities or incapacitating episodes as part of medical management of diabetes mellitus, and similar findings for other conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus type II, Diabetic retinopathy, Ischemic heart disease, Unspecified depressive disorder, Pulmonary disorder, to include asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2025
- Citation
- 25004490
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a right wrist condition due to the withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran's attorney.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence that the Veteran's diabetes resulted from her active military service or was caused by her service-connected hypertension.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
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