The previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for retinopathy of the eyes, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, is reopened on the basis of new and material evidence. To this extent only, the appeal is granted.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence was submitted that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim, including VA treatment records and a VA examination report dated in November 2018 which included a diagnosis of moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy from July 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- retinopathy of the eyes, cataract nuclear (both eyes), moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20037178
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 20037178.
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 has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding a VA examination for an eye disability. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA visual examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records. The Veteran's eye disabilities are presumed related to herbicide agent exposure in service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and remanded the issues of service connection for retinopathy of the eyes, neuropathy of upper extremities, and neuropathy of lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to February 13, 2017.
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