Diabetes mellitus is a serious condition affecting over 37 million people in the United States. Veterans suffering with this disease may see a significant impact on their quality of life. For this reason, the VA recognizes it as a qualifying disability for compensation. Understanding how your condition affects your VA disability diabetes rating can help you maximize your benefits. Our guide below explains the diabetes VA rating system, how to apply for benefits and establish a military service connection.
VA Disability Diabetes Rating: Key Takeaways
- Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can qualify affected veterans for benefits. In some cases, diabetes type 2 can count as a presumptive disability if it’s due to Agent Orange exposure.
- The VA disability diabetes rating you get depends entirely on the severity of your symptoms and daily medication needs.
- A medical issue resulting from a service-connected illness is considered a secondary condition. Secondary conditions can help you qualify for VA disability compensation or achieve a higher rating percentage.
- If you already filed a claim, but now have new and relevant evidence to add, or if there has been a change in federal law affecting your benefit eligibility, you may need to file a supplemental VA claim.
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes is a disease where your body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or use. The result of these unregulated blood sugar levels, also called blood glucose, can cause dangerous complications and symptoms.
Without your pancreas producing proper insulin levels, glucose stays trapped in the blood. Your body’s inability to move sugar from your blood into your cells and provide them with energy can become life-threatening over time. If you have diabetes, then you face a higher risk of developing health issues and damage to your:
- Eyes
- Kidneys
- Nerves
- Heart
Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, your immune system destroys insulin-producing pancreatic cells. This in turn leaves your body able to produce little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetics must take insulin every day in order to stay alive.
Type 2 Diabetes (also known as adult onset diabetes mellitus)
In type 2 diabetes, cells resist insulin, and the pancreas can’t produce enough to keep your blood sugar levels normal. Anyone who is overweight or has a family history of diabetes is more likely to develop this medical condition. In addition, women who become pregnant may develop gestational diabetes.
Is Diabetes a Disability According to the VA?
Yes. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, diabetes is an endocrine system-related medical condition that qualifies for monthly compensation.
Establishing Your Military Service Connection for VA Benefits
Diabetes can be linked to several forms of service connection, including:
- Direct service connection ― To establish a direct service connection for diabetes, you must show it began or worsened during active duty. Your claim must include medical records or supporting evidence of service-related factors contributing to your condition. For example: Some Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange are more likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis.
- Secondary service connection ― Diabetes can count as a secondary condition if it results from a service-connected injury or illness. For example, a pancreas injury or condition causing significant weight gain and insulin resistance may provide a secondary service connection.
- Service connection by legal presumption ―Veterans may receive a presumptive service connection for diabetes if it develops within one year of discharge. This means they don’t need to provide direct evidence linking their condition to their military service.
- Agent Orange exposure ―Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This presumption reduces the burden of proof when establishing a service connection for the condition.
Who Can File a Claim for VA Disability Benefits?
U.S. Armed Forces veterans who demonstrate being at least 10% disabled, either physically or mentally, qualify for VA disability compensation. The disability must be service related, meaning it occurred during or immediately after one of the following:
- Active duty
- Inactive duty training
- Active-duty training
What is the VA Disability Rating for Diabetes?
The VA rates diabetes based on how severe it is and its impact on your daily life to determine your rating percentage:
| 10% | 20% | 40% | 60% | 100% | |
| Restricted diet | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Insulin injections or oral medication | Either one | Daily injection of insulin | Daily injection of insulin | Daily insulin (more than once) | |
| Regulation of activities | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | ||
| Episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring either hospitalization or visits to a diabetic care provider | One or two hospitalizations per year or twice per month visits to a diabetic care provider | At least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider | |||
| all of the above, plus complications not compensable if separately evaluated | ☑️ | Or progressive loss of both weight and strength |
How Your Diabetes VA Disability Rating Affects Compensation
The monthly disability amount you may receive depends on several different factors, including your:
- VA disability percentage rating
- Number and age of your dependents, if applicable (including any children living at home)
- Marital status
| 2025 Monthly Pay Amounts by Disability % for Veterans with no Spouse or Dependents | |
| Disability Rating | Monthly Pay |
| 10% | $175.51 |
| 20% | $346.95 |
| 30% | $537.42 |
| 40% | $774.16 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 |
| 60% | $1,395.93 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 |
| 80% | $2,044.89 |
| 90% | $2,297.96 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 |
Additional compensation is available to veterans with a disability percentage of 30% or higher who have a spouse and/or dependents.
Important: Veterans with a 10%-20% disability rating won’t receive additional VA benefits for a dependent spouse, child, or parent.
How to Increase Your Type 2 VA Diabetes Rating
If you were exposed to Agent Orange and then developed type 2 diabetes, say that in your claim. Click here to see the full list of VA presumptive disability conditions that automatically have a service connection.
Secondary Conditions That Can Help You Get VA Disability for Diabetes
The VA defines secondary conditions as disabilities or medical issues that are either caused or aggravated by an existing service-connected condition. An illness, injury, or mental health condition can qualify as an aggravator, for example. Affected veterans can claim VA disability benefits if they can successfully show a link between the two medical conditions.
Secondary conditions to diabetes may include the following health problems:
- Coronary artery disease (i.e., heart disease)
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure (i.e., hypertension)
- Kidney dysfunction
- Nerve damage
- Skin conditions
- Stroke
Filing a VA Supplemental Claim for Diabetes Mellitus
To file a VA supplemental claim for diabetes mellitus, gather new and relevant evidence supporting your case. Updated medical records or statements from your doctor linking your condition to your military service.
Submit your additional evidence along with VA Form 20-0995, the Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim, to your regional office. This process lets you challenge a prior decision and seek an updated review based on your new medical history.
Talk to a VA-Accredited Attorney for Free
Still unsure if you qualify for VA diabetes disability benefits? Or maybe you have additional questions before you file your VA disability claim?
Our experienced VA-accredited attorneys can help you get through the claims process. This service is completely free, and your consultation starts with just one phone call.
These attorneys always handle VA disability claims on contingency. That means you pay $0 to the attorney who helps you unless they help you secure more benefit money.
We’ve helped at least 10,000 veterans connect with legal professionals through this website. You don’t have to fight the VA all on your own! Click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz and see if you may qualify:
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Nicole Balderas is a writer and editor living in Justin, Texas. She has experience in both technical and creative writing, web editing, and SEO. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.A. in Social Sciences and a minor in News-Editorial Journalism. Visit her online profile at LinkedIn.com.
