The deciding factor: The veteran's visual acuity in the right eye was 20/400, which is considered blindness in one eye with only light perception. The left eye had a best corrected distance acuity of 20/60 and 20/50 at different times, but never reaching 20/100 as required for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2006
- Citation
- 0600595
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for diabetic retinopathy as there were no incapacitating episodes or visual impairment.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II, a compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy, and an earlier effective date for the grant of a 40 percent rating for residuals of left thalamic stroke with neurogenic bladder. However, TDIU was granted.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and its associated complications.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's motion for revision of the August 2020 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to restore a 70 percent rating for diabetic retinopathy, effective November 1, 2020. The Board also remanded service connection for glaucoma.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.