The Board granted service connection for eye conditions, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and left eye retinopathy. However, it denied increased ratings for multiple peripheral neuropathies, hypertension, and status post tympanoplasty.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's eye conditions, psychiatric disorder, and OSA were caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and left eye retinopathy. However, there was no evidence to support a higher rating for the peripheral neuropathies, hypertension, or status post tympanoplasty.

Claimed conditions

bilateral cataracts, bilateral dry eye syndrome, meibomian gland dysfunction of the upper and lower eyelids, macular drusen of the right eye, major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 22, 2025

Citation

A25109895

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