The veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of injuries to his right and left eyes, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts were denied. The veteran was also denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with cataracts, but granted a 40% rating since January 23, 2007, and separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the lower and upper extremities.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms related to the claimed conditions during service. The cardiovascular disease was not shown to be related to service or any incident therein, including diabetes mellitus. The cataracts were determined to be secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of an injury to the right eye, Residuals of an injury to the left eye, Cardiovascular disease (left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction), Bilateral cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2008
- Citation
- 0814875
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with bilateral cataracts and total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not support an increase in the Veteran's ratings or entitlement to TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy, to further investigate potential exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's service in Korea.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and maxillary and frontal sinusitis, while granting a 30 percent rating for hiatal hernia.
- Denied
The Board denied a separate compensable disability rating for cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus and service connection for blepharitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disabilities.
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