The Board granted a 70 percent rating for bilateral diabetic retinopathy effective September 23, 1988. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied as his visual acuity and field of vision did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy with no incapacitating episodes, but he experienced significant functional limitations due to his bilateral field of vision loss. The Board found that the current 70 percent rating adequately reflected the severity of his disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Diabetic Retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 2, 2016
- Citation
- 1608345
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 1608345.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The Veteran's initial PCAFC application was granted in December 2022, effective from December 21, 2022. The Board found that the criteria for eligibility were met since his initial application in December 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA were granted effective July 18, 2020. The case involves the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including PTSD, OSA, diabetes, cataracts, neuropathy, and other conditions.
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