The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral eye disability was denied. The issue of service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to Type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed. Service connection for an ulcer of the right great toe is granted, and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is awarded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral eye disability under the revised VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities due to lack of preoperative cataracts. The issue of service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to Type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed because there was no surgery documented. Service connection for an ulcer of the right great toe is granted based on medical evidence showing it was related to his diabetes. SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is awarded.
- Claimed conditions
- Type II diabetes mellitus, Erectile dysfunction associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, Bilateral cataracts, Background retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2024
- Citation
- A24035413
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 A24035413.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including cataracts and a choroidal nevus affecting the left eye, is not attributable to active military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Udorn RTAFB and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that his service-connected left ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee pain, left hip pain, and loss of use of the left big toe disabilities have caused him to become obese, which in turn led to his development of type II diabetes mellitus.
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