The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease, all secondary to diabetes mellitus. A 30 percent initial rating was granted for stasis dermatitis.
The deciding factor: The evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, and other conditions were related to his active duty service, leading to a grant of service connection in favor of the Veteran. The Board also granted an initial 30 percent rating for stasis dermatitis based on the severity of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, stasis dermatitis, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (secondary to diabetes), bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (secondary to diabetes), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (secondary to diabetes)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25105946
Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.