The Veteran's bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy with retinal detachments and pseudophakia is currently rated at 30 percent, which includes the ratings for visual acuity (20%) and visual field defect (10%). The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are each rated at 10%. These ratings do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's eye conditions have been evaluated based on their impact on vision, resulting in a combined rating of 30 percent. His lower extremity conditions have been evaluated as incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, with mild symptoms and no evidence of severe impairment or atrophy.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy with retinal detachments and pseudophakia, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 31, 2016
- Citation
- 1621679
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 1621679.
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 Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and for loss of teeth. The anterior trunk scar is rated at 10 percent, but no higher.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 13, 2019, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) and a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.
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