The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected bilateral macular degeneration, as well as whether his diagnosed bilateral cataracts are a complication of his service-connected diabetes. The rating for his diabetic retinopathy with cataracts and macular degeneration from December 11, 2018 is also remanded to ensure the current severity of his condition is assessed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims require further development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether his bilateral cataracts are a complication of his service-connected diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, macular degeneration
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20066949
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an effective date prior to April 11, 2013, for the award of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and grade 2+ anterior vacuoles due to a lack of evidence indicating an intent to apply for benefits or communication related to these conditions before that date.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and macular degeneration, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts, finding that there was no medical evidence linking the condition to his active service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded to ensure that the appellant receives every possible consideration, including a new VA examination.
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