{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/cataract-extraction-secondary-to-diabetes","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:24.634Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"claim":"Cataract extraction secondary to diabetes","secondary_condition":"Cataract extraction","service_connected_disability":"diabetes","decisions":373,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":22.5,"denied_pct":27.3,"remanded_pct":48.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":45.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":34,"granted_pct":14.7,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2018,"issues":53,"granted_pct":22.6,"denied_pct":18.9,"remanded_pct":56.6},{"year":2019,"issues":44,"granted_pct":15.9,"denied_pct":43.2,"remanded_pct":38.6},{"year":2020,"issues":39,"granted_pct":12.8,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":53.8},{"year":2021,"issues":47,"granted_pct":14.9,"denied_pct":38.3,"remanded_pct":44.7},{"year":2022,"issues":48,"granted_pct":27.1,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":47.9},{"year":2023,"issues":48,"granted_pct":27.1,"denied_pct":22.9,"remanded_pct":47.9},{"year":2024,"issues":33,"granted_pct":45.5,"denied_pct":12.1,"remanded_pct":39.4},{"year":2025,"issues":24,"granted_pct":20.8,"denied_pct":29.2,"remanded_pct":50}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":77.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":65,"granted_pct_with":72,"granted_pct_without":35.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":279,"granted_pct_with":42.5,"granted_pct_without":55},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":77,"granted_pct_with":77.8,"granted_pct_without":28.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":237,"granted_pct_with":41.3,"granted_pct_without":53.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":113,"granted_pct_with":48.6,"granted_pct_without":42.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":271,"granted_pct_with":39.9,"granted_pct_without":62.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":12},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":10},{"reason":"no contrary evidence of record","decisions":2},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":17},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":15},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":13},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":8},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":4},{"reason":"va examiner opined cataracts were age-related","decisions":3}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26023140","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Favorable findings from AOJ regarding current diagnosis and service-connected diabetes mellitus are binding.; Private and VA treatment records indicate cataracts were associated with diabetes.; VA examiner's negative opinion was inconsistent with treatment records and afforded no probative value."},{"case_id":"26001811","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Current diagnosis of bilateral cataracts; Service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2; Medical opinion notes diabetes accelerates age-related cataracts; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26009007","year":2026,"judge":"BETHANY L. BUCK","rationale":"Conceded current diagnosis of pseudophakia; Veteran service-connected for diabetes mellitus; VA opinion found diabetes mellitus contributed to cataracts"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26001197","year":2026,"judge":"R. FEINBERG","rationale":"No in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for eye condition.; Separation examination showed normal eyes.; VA opinions found cataracts age-related and less likely than not caused by or related to diabetes.; No established baseline for aggravation due to diabetes.; No probative evidence of eti… [truncated, 37 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A25084473","year":2025,"judge":"TIMOTHY COTHREL","rationale":"No in-service event or injury documented; Cataract resolved prior to claim; No evidence of functional impairment or treatment"},{"case_id":"25011930","year":2025,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Current diagnoses of dry eye syndrome and residuals of bilateral cataracts; In-service injury/aggravation conceded, and service-connected for diabetes; All medical opinions against the claim, citing age-related changes and lack of in-service nexus"}]},"how_argued":{"note":"From keyword matches in each issue's AI summary and rationale, not the full decision. Only issues whose text names a medical link are counted under pathways; one issue can name several. A link named in a denial was often the argument the Board rejected.","issues":379,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":124,"granted_pct":9.7},"causation_only":{"issues":255,"granted_pct":28.6},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":1.6,"pathways":[]},"how_va_rates":null,"requirements":"38 CFR 3.310: a current diagnosis, a service-connected disability, and medical evidence that it caused (3.310(a)) or aggravated (3.310(b)) the condition."}}