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Denied

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy with nuclear sclerotic cataract is rated at 10 percent, and the rating for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction prior to July 12, 2023, remains denied. A 100 percent rating was granted effective from July 12, 2023, for his heart condition. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is also granted effective from that date. However, the issues of TDIU prior to July 12, 2023, and a separate rating for chronic kidney disease are remanded.

The deciding factor: The evidence does not support higher ratings for the Veteran's eye condition or heart condition based on current medical findings and diagnostic criteria.

Claimed conditions
Bilateral Diabetic Retinopathy with Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
10%
Decision date
January 8, 2025
Citation
25000214

Veterans Law Judge

J. Kirby

Decisions by this judge: 709 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 25000214.

What this means for you

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