The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts were granted a 70% rating prior to August 9, 2010, and an 80% rating as of that date. Special monthly compensation was granted for blindness in one eye. Increased ratings were granted for various types of peripheral neuropathy affecting the lower extremities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions resulted in significant visual impairment and nerve damage, warranting higher ratings based on their severity.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- June 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19150386
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding VA's obligation to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for a low back disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and glaucoma.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and remanded the claim for service connection for glaucoma.
- 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.
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