The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran required insulin or restricted activities, nor did it establish that his diabetic retinopathy had incapacitating episodes requiring treatment visits during the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25030219
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation SMC(s) was denied as there is no reasonable possibility that any of his service-connected disabilities alone prevent substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's disabilities, including diabetes mellitus II with diabetic retinopathy and chronic kidney disease, rendered him unemployable as of April 19, 2019.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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