The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for diabetic retinopathy with macular edema effective July 10, 2013. The Veteran's visual acuity and field defects do not warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s visual acuity was rated at 20/40 in both eyes, which is equivalent to 20/50 for the right eye and 20/70 for the left eye. His visual field defect was rated as 30 percent based on his concentric contraction.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19105709
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for diabetic retinopathy as there were no incapacitating episodes or visual impairment.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II, a compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy, and an earlier effective date for the grant of a 40 percent rating for residuals of left thalamic stroke with neurogenic bladder. However, TDIU was granted.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and its associated complications.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's motion for revision of the August 2020 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to restore a 70 percent rating for diabetic retinopathy, effective November 1, 2020. The Board also remanded service connection for glaucoma.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.