The reduction of the rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral cataracts and related conditions from 30% to 20% was not proper, and the 30% rating is restored. The Veteran's entitlement to a higher disability rating for his bilateral cataracts and related conditions is granted.
The deciding factor: The reduction of the rating was improper due to lack of demonstrated improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, as evidenced by consistent symptoms and visual acuity throughout the appellate period.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Cataracts, Arcus Senilis, Right Diabetic Macular Edema, Diabetic Retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20003491
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 claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings for his service-connected conditions.
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