The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a separate, compensable disability rating for right eye visual impairment associated with type II diabetes mellitus; service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus; and service connection for hypertension as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current evidence is insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's sleep apnea or hypertension are caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus additional development is needed to obtain updated VA treatment records and arrange for examinations to address these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Nuclear sclerotic cataract, Branch retinal vein occlusion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21077407
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 21077407.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a separate compensable disability rating for nuclear sclerotic cataract and BRVO of the Veteran's right eye, finding that the condition is associated with his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran has visual acuity correctable to 20/40 or better, and there are no documented incapacitating episodes or visual field defects.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including nuclear sclerotic cataracts and branch retinal vein occlusion with diabetic retinopathy (resolved), warrants a 40 percent rating effective September 26, 2016.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's eye disorder did not have its onset during service, is not a result of service, and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for an eye disability is denied.
- Granted
The Board found that the veteran's loss of vision in his right eye was not caused by VA treatment, but rather due to a retinal tear and detachment unrelated to any blood thinner use. The decision grants compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
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