The Board denied service connection for retinopathy and a dental disability, both of which are presumed to be related to diabetes mellitus type II. The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.
The deciding factor: VA examiners found no evidence linking the Veteran's diagnosed conditions (bilateral primary open angle glaucoma, bilateral pseudophakia, and bilateral floaters) to his active military service or diabetes mellitus type II.
- Claimed conditions
- retinopathy, dental disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20043998
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20043998.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's right knee tendinopathy, tendinitis is not rated higher than 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and a need to obtain more information from the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's oropharyngeal cancer with soft palate reconstruction is granted service connection, and the claim for a dental disability secondary to this condition is remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted, with an effective date of January 11, 2008.
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