The Board denied higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II; right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy; and general anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for left and right eye disabilities and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for the claimed conditions, as they did not meet the criteria specified in the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, general anxiety disorder, left eye disability (to include diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration), right eye disability (to include diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25045400
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 hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical spine condition, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, lumbar spine condition, and urinary frequency and voiding condition as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a VA neurological examination to determine the nature and severity of the service-connected right lower extremity and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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