The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) was denied. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy was granted and effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's TDIU claim from November 12, 2010, to September 25, 2019, was granted.
The deciding factor: The May 2022 VA examination found no visual impairment or incapacitating episodes due to diabetic retinopathy and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a separate rating. The Board granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy as it is part of the Veteran's DMII disability.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22041066
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 22041066.
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 claims for asthma, hypertension with residuals including stroke, DM II, bilateral amputation of all toes, and diabetic neuropathy to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Board also remanded the claim for ED as it is inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms, including his need for eye injections to treat his diabetic retinopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), as secondary to a service-connected disability. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and finds that his obesity is due, at least in part, to his service-connected musculoskeletal disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.