VA Disability Rating for Diabetes (Type II): 2026 Guide
Type II diabetes mellitus is one of the most important presumptive conditions in the VA system, particularly for Vietnam-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Over 400,000 veterans are service-connected for diabetes. If you were exposed to Agent Orange and have Type II diabetes, you qualify for service connection, no nexus proof needed.
Diabetes Rating Scale (DC 7913)
| Rating | Criteria | 2026 Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Diet management only, no insulin, no medication | $175.51 |
| 20% | Requires insulin or oral medication, with occasional episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring physician intervention | $346.95 |
| 40% | Requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with complications requiring hospitalization or outpatient treatment | $795.84 |
| 60% | Requires insulin, restricted diet, regulation of activities, and at least 3 hospitalizations per year, or requiring continuous medication | $1,435.02 |
| 100% | Progressive uncontrolled diabetes with serious complications | $3,938.58 |
Agent Orange Presumptive Service Connection
Veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, in certain waters near Vietnam, in Thailand at bases where herbicides were used, or in other covered locations, can claim Type II diabetes as a presumptive without any nexus letter. You need: a Type II diabetes diagnosis, and qualifying service. That's it. Use the PACT Act / Agent Orange presumptive checker to see whether your service period and location qualify. For a full list of covered conditions, see our Agent Orange and PACT Act presumptives guide.
Critical Secondary Conditions
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most valuable secondary claims. Numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet from nerve damage is rated 10-40% per extremity. Two legs + two arms could add up to 80% in secondary ratings alone. Each extremity is rated separately.
Diabetic retinopathy, damage to the retina, is rated 10-100% based on visual field and acuity loss. Kidney disease from diabetes can be rated at 30-100% based on lab values and treatment requirements. Erectile dysfunction from diabetic nerve damage qualifies for SMC-K.
Hypertension is another condition that frequently develops alongside diabetes. Veterans service-connected for diabetes can file for hypertension secondary to diabetes, which is rated 10-60% and adds meaningfully to combined ratings.
Insulin Pump Use
If you use an insulin pump, this generally qualifies for the 40% rating or higher because it demonstrates the need for continuous insulin regulation. Document the complexity of your insulin management in your medical records.
How the VA Evaluates Diabetes at a C&P Exam
At your Compensation and Pension exam, the examiner will review how your diabetes is managed day-to-day. Key factors include: whether you use insulin or oral medication, how often you experience hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes requiring intervention, whether you have been hospitalized for diabetic complications, and whether you require dietary restrictions and activity regulation.
Bring documentation of every hospitalization, emergency visit, or significant episode to your exam. Logs of blood sugar readings and insulin dosing strengthen your record. If you have a VA primary care provider, request a copy of your full treatment notes to include in your claim file.
Calculating the Value of Diabetes + Secondaries
Diabetes alone rarely gets veterans to a high combined rating, but the secondary conditions change the math significantly. A veteran rated 20% for diabetes, 20% for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (right leg), 20% for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (left leg), and 10% for hypertension reaches a combined rating well above 50%, before adding any other service-connected conditions. Use the VA disability calculator to model your specific combination of ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Type II diabetes a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. Type II diabetes mellitus is a presumptive condition for veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other tactical herbicides. Vietnam veterans and others on the exposure list can receive service connection without proving a nexus.
What is the VA rating for diabetes?
Diabetes is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, or 100% under Diagnostic Code 7913, based on whether insulin is required, frequency of hypoglycemic episodes, and whether regulation requires diet restriction only or progressive complications.
How much does 20% diabetes pay in 2026?
A 20% VA disability rating pays $346.95 per month in 2026 (veteran alone). Veterans requiring insulin are rated at minimum 20%.
What secondary conditions can I claim with diabetes?
Common secondary conditions include diabetic peripheral neuropathy (rated 10-40% per extremity), diabetic retinopathy (rated 10-100%), kidney disease, erectile dysfunction (SMC-K), and hypertension.
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