The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected hypertensive retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.
The deciding factor: The current severity of the service-connected hypertensive retinopathy needs to be assessed, including any impact on the eyes. The Veteran's complaints must be evaluated in relation to both his service-connected condition and other potential causes.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1602779
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 1602779.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for an eye condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. However, it granted a 70% rating for PTSD and separate 10% ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the claim for service connection for hypertensive retinopathy to ensure compliance with a Joint Motion for Remand, which requires providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive retinopathy as it is not secondary to a currently service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a vision disability, to include diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, open angle glaucoma, blepharitis, left eye optic neuritis, and hypertensive retinopathy, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.
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