The Board denied service connection for right eye disability (diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) and cervical spine disability. The decision on right eye disability is based on the evidence not showing a direct link to service, while the cervical spine issue was found in favor of the Veteran due to reasonable doubt.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no direct evidence linking the right eye disabilities (diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) to service. The cervical spine disability was found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- right eye diabetic retinopathy, right eye cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21073619
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 21073619.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right eye retinal detachment and remanded the claims for right eye cataracts and choroidal hemangioma for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 3, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran had a high rating for his Meniere's disease and sleep apnea but was capable of performing employment duties.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for anxiety and mood swings, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sinusitis and rhinitis, right eye cataracts, left eye cataracts, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Board found no in-service psychological injury or event leading to the current disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eye conditions, including left eye proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, right eye diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral cataracts, are being remanded for further clarification of the pathologic process responsible for his visual impairment. The VA will also need to determine if the Veteran has experienced incapacitating episodes related to these conditions.
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