The Board granted increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, but denied an increase in the rating for diabetes mellitus type II.

The deciding factor: The evidence was at least evenly balanced to suggest that the Veteran's sciatic and femoral peripheral neuropathies associated with diabetes mellitus type II have always most closely approximated moderately severe incomplete paralysis or severe incomplete paralysis, respectively. However, there is no competent or credible evidence suggesting that his diabetes has ever required all three of a restricted diet, regulation of activities, and one or more daily injection of insulin.

Claimed conditions

Diabetes mellitus type II, Right lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, Left lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, Right lower extremity femoral peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, Left lower extremity femoral peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 18, 2025

Citation

25014075

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine