The Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability, including diabetic retinopathy with open angle glaucoma and diabetic cortical cataracts, is currently rated as 20 percent for the period prior to March 2, 2016, and 50 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a higher initial rating based on incapacitating episodes of an eye condition prior to March 2, 2016, as the Veteran had no such episodes during this period.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic Retinopathy, Open Angle Glaucoma, Diabetic Cortical Cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2026
- Citation
- 26000238
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 26000238.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 12, 2017 for the award of service connection for dry eye syndrome. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected open angle glaucoma is granted an initial 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent effective April 13, 2023.,The Veteran's other trauma and stressor related disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 13, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and neurogenic bladder condition, require regular aid and attendance. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted. As the issue of housebound status is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance, special monthly compensation based on housebound status is dismissed.
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