The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an eye condition, including cataracts and floaters, as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The VA is required to provide a new examination and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current eye conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the May 2019 VA examiner's opinion was deficient in several aspects, including not addressing the Veteran’s complaints during service or previously diagnosed eye conditions. The Board also noted deficiencies in the examination report regarding diabetic retinopathy and its relation to diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- cataract, floaters, arcus senilis, lattice degeneration of the right eye retina
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19158638
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19158638.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for fatigue was dismissed. His headaches, IBS, GERD, allergic rhinitis, sinus, and sleep apnea were all granted. The left knee disability and cataract claims are still pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, arcus senilis, eczema, and abdominal pain due to additional pertinent evidence being added to the record after the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected eye disability, including cataract with meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye syndrome, is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that relevant VA treatment records from VistA Imaging are missing.
- Denied
The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for open angle glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract (eye disability) was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by VA's carelessness or negligence.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.