The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related neuropathies (RLE and LLE), finding that the Veteran's obesity, which was caused by his service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities, led to his development of diabetes.,Service connection is also granted for osteomyelitis, with the Board concluding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II.
The deciding factor: The opinions provided a clear causal link between the Veteran's service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities leading to obesity, which in turn caused his diabetes mellitus, type II. The secondary service connection for neuropathies was also supported by the evidence showing that diabetes mellitus, type II, aggravated osteomyelitis.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, osteomyelitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2026
- Citation
- 26000288
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 26000288.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Granted
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- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted on a secondary basis with obesity serving as an intermediate step due to service-connected low back disability, sciatica, and right shoulder disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left arm tremors. Service connection for right hand tremors is also granted. The Veteran's tinnitus claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus.
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