DC 7913 — Diabetes mellitus
Also known as: Mellitus, diabetes, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, blood sugar, insulin, diabetic, A1C, glucose
These are commonly claimed secondary connections linked to this primary disability. Use them as a screening tool for conversations with your doctor, VSO, or VA-accredited attorney.
Diabetes mellitus → Arteriosclerotic heart disease
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetes significantly increases cardiovascular risk.
Filing tip
Ask your doctor to clearly state that the secondary condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the primary service-connected condition. For this pairing, ask the provider to explain how diabetes mellitus led to or worsened arteriosclerotic heart disease.
Diabetes mellitus → Erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetes damages blood vessels and nerves that affect sexual function.
Filing tip
Ask your doctor to clearly state that the secondary condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the primary service-connected condition. For this pairing, ask the provider to explain how diabetes mellitus led to or worsened erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity.
Diabetes mellitus → Hypertensive vascular disease
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetes and hypertension frequently co-occur and worsen each other.
Filing tip
Ask your doctor to clearly state that the secondary condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the primary service-connected condition. For this pairing, ask the provider to explain how diabetes mellitus led to or worsened hypertensive vascular disease.
Diabetes mellitus → Median nerve, paralysis
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetes increases risk of carpal tunnel syndrome through nerve damage and tissue swelling affecting the median nerve.
Filing tip
File carpal tunnel as secondary to diabetes with nerve conduction study results.
Diabetes mellitus → Nephritis, chronic
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of kidney failure.
Filing tip
Ask your doctor to clearly state that the secondary condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the primary service-connected condition. For this pairing, ask the provider to explain how diabetes mellitus led to or worsened nephritis, chronic.
Diabetes mellitus → Open-angle glaucoma
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetic retinopathy is a direct complication of diabetes, progressing to glaucoma and vision loss.
Filing tip
File glaucoma/eye condition as secondary to diabetes with ophthalmology records showing diabetic eye changes.
Diabetes mellitus → Renal disease, chronic
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.
Filing tip
File CKD as secondary to diabetes with lab results showing declining kidney function alongside diabetes history.
Diabetes mellitus → Retinopathy or maculopathy not otherwise specified
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetic retinopathy damages blood vessels in the retina.
Filing tip
Ask your doctor to clearly state that the secondary condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the primary service-connected condition. For this pairing, ask the provider to explain how diabetes mellitus led to or worsened retinopathy or maculopathy not otherwise specified.
Diabetes mellitus → Sciatic nerve, paralysis
How the connection is commonly explained
Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy, damaging nerves in the extremities.
Filing tip
Ask your doctor to clearly state that the secondary condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the primary service-connected condition. For this pairing, ask the provider to explain how diabetes mellitus led to or worsened sciatic nerve, paralysis.
This condition may also be secondary to
Chronic pancreatitis damages insulin-producing cells, commonly causing diabetes mellitus.
Atypical antipsychotics used to treat bipolar disorder significantly increase diabetes risk through metabolic changes.
Antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia cause metabolic syndrome and significantly increase diabetes risk.
How to File a Secondary Claim
Disclaimer: Secondary connections shown are based on commonly established medical links. Individual claims require medical evidence. Consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney.