The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, which is currently rated at 60 percent. The case has been remanded to the RO for additional development including a new VA examination and proper VCAA notice.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on an inadequate VA examination that did not have access to the veteran's claims file.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2006
- Citation
- 0608631
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings as the Veteran died during the appeal process.
- Denied
The Board found the reduction of the rating for diabetes mellitus from 40% to 20% was proper, and denied entitlement to higher ratings or TDIU.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 25, 2012.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.