Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are service-connected, with the latter condition being secondary to the former.

The deciding factor: The VA specialist concluded that it is at least as likely as not (a 50% probability) that the veteran's diabetes mellitus had its onset during service or within one year after separation from service.

Claimed conditions
diabetes mellitus, proliferative diabetic retinopathy
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
October 31, 2008
Citation
0837695

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 0837695.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

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.