The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and denied the claim.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not find a link between the veteran's cataracts and his diabetes mellitus in this case.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2008
- Citation
- 0841626
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0841626.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected uveitis with bilateral uveitic glaucoma and bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts is rated at 60 percent from March 14, 2022. The rating was increased based on documented incapacitating episodes of uveitis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected asthma and hearing loss disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and thus service connection is granted.
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.