Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is impaired blood sugar regulation. VA rates it 10 to 100 percent under DC 7913 based on what it takes to manage: diet alone, medication or insulin, restriction of activities, and hospitalizations for blood sugar crises - and its complications are usually rated separately on top.
Presumptive condition — Agent Orange / herbicide exposure (38 CFR 3.309(e))
Type 2 diabetes is presumptive for veterans exposed to herbicides: service in Vietnam (including Blue Water Navy), the Korean DMZ (Sept 1967 - Aug 1971), certain Thailand base perimeters, and C-123 aircraft crews. No nexus opinion needed - just proof of qualifying service and a current diagnosis.
How the VA rates it
Rated under DC 7913 on a treatment-intensity ladder: 10 percent for diet control alone; 20 percent for insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent plus restricted diet; 40 percent when 'regulation of activities' (medically required avoidance of strenuous activity) is added to insulin and diet; 60 and 100 percent when ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic episodes require hospitalizations or frequent diabetic-care visits plus complications. The 40 percent level requires medical evidence that a provider restricted your activities - not just self-limiting. Compensable complications (neuropathy, ED, retinopathy, kidney disease) are rated separately and combined.
Rating criteria by percentage
Rated up to 100%Requiring more than one daily insulin injection, restricted diet, and regulation of activities, with ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately rated.
Requiring one or more daily insulin injections, restricted diet, and regulation of activities, with ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice-monthly diabetic-care visits, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately rated.
Requiring one or more daily insulin injections, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (medically prescribed avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities).
Requiring one or more daily insulin injections and restricted diet; or an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet.
Manageable by restricted diet only.
Secondary condition strategy
Commonly claimed secondary to this
Conditions veterans often develop from this one — each can be its own rating under 38 CFR 3.310.
- Peripheral Neuropathy — Diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the feet and hands is the most common diabetes secondary - each affected extremity is rated separately.
- Erectile Dysfunction — ED secondary to diabetes (vascular and nerve damage) is commonly granted; it pays 0 percent plus SMC-K.
- Hypertension — Diabetic kidney disease can cause or aggravate hypertension, supporting a secondary claim.
- Coronary Artery Disease — Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis; heart disease is frequently claimed secondary to long-standing diabetes.
- Diabetic retinopathy — Diabetic eye disease is rated separately under the eye schedule (e.g., DC 6006).
- Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) — Renal involvement in diabetes is rated as renal dysfunction under DC 7541, up to 100 percent.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- For 40 percent, get your provider to document 'regulation of activities' in writing - a note that you must avoid strenuous activity for glycemic control. Self-restricting does not count.
- Submit pharmacy records showing insulin or oral hypoglycemics plus a diet plan from your provider for the 20 percent level.
- Claim every complication separately: neuropathy in each extremity, ED (with SMC-K), retinopathy, and kidney involvement can add far more than the diabetes rating itself.
- Agent Orange-era veterans: verify your qualifying service locations are documented in your file so the presumption applies.
Rating rules to know
Compensable complications are rated separately and combined with the diabetes rating - unless they are used as the basis for the 100 percent level. Noncompensable complications are considered part of the diabetic process under DC 7913.
Related diagnostic codes
More endocrine conditions
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.