The Board has granted service connection for bilateral nuclear cataracts as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic retinopathy and TDIU due to diabetic retinopathy, now with bilateral nuclear cataracts, is remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's bilateral nuclear cataracts are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The medical evidence also indicates that the Veteran's blindness may be due to nonservice-connected CMV retinitis, but it is not possible to assess the degree of involvement of the diabetic retinopathy with respect to the blindness.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral nuclear cataracts, diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2017
- Citation
- 1725223
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1725223.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 asthma, hypertension with residuals including stroke, DM II, bilateral amputation of all toes, and diabetic neuropathy to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Board also remanded the claim for ED as it is inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms, including his need for eye injections to treat his diabetic retinopathy.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding various service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
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