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
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,555 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities and right upper extremity. However, an earlier effective date is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, erectile dysfunction, initial compensable rating for left subclavian artery aneurysm, a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,VA treatment records are requested as they may be relevant to the issues on appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for diabetic neuropathy, diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- 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.
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