The Veteran's cardiac arrhythmia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with valvulopathy are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is granted a higher initial rating for diabetic macular edema, but the appeal is denied as there is no evidence of active pathology.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cardiac disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and was therefore granted on that basis. However, the Veteran's diabetic macular edema has not shown any active pathology since July 22, 2009, which prevents a higher rating from being assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Cardiac arrhythmia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with valvulopathy, Diabetic macular edema
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1619287
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 1619287.
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).
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