{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/glaucoma-secondary-to-diabetes","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:22.181Z","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":"Glaucoma secondary to diabetes","secondary_condition":"Glaucoma","service_connected_disability":"diabetes","decisions":482,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":25.1,"remanded_pct":62.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":29.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":36,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":47.2,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2018,"issues":44,"granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":27.3,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2019,"issues":51,"granted_pct":7.8,"denied_pct":23.5,"remanded_pct":68.6},{"year":2020,"issues":63,"granted_pct":4.8,"denied_pct":20.6,"remanded_pct":73},{"year":2021,"issues":84,"granted_pct":9.5,"denied_pct":26.2,"remanded_pct":61.9},{"year":2022,"issues":73,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":24.7,"remanded_pct":65.8},{"year":2023,"issues":55,"granted_pct":21.8,"denied_pct":18.2,"remanded_pct":58.2},{"year":2024,"issues":38,"granted_pct":7.9,"denied_pct":23.7,"remanded_pct":65.8},{"year":2025,"issues":33,"granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":12.1,"remanded_pct":69.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":45,"granted_pct_with":61.3,"granted_pct_without":22.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":348,"granted_pct_with":24.1,"granted_pct_without":48.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":58,"granted_pct_with":68.2,"granted_pct_without":16.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":308,"granted_pct_with":22.1,"granted_pct_without":48},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":126,"granted_pct_with":40.7,"granted_pct_without":23.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":311,"granted_pct_with":20.3,"granted_pct_without":56.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection granted","decisions":3},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":2},{"reason":"secondary to diabetes mellitus","decisions":2},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":18},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":16},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":14},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":12},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":4},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":3}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26027431","year":2026,"judge":"J. T. HUTCHESON","rationale":"Evidence in equipoise regarding relationship to Type II diabetes mellitus; Medical literature suggests link between diabetes and glaucoma; Doubt resolved in veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26009007","year":2026,"judge":"BETHANY L. BUCK","rationale":"Conceded current diagnosis of glaucoma; Veteran service-connected for diabetes mellitus; VA opinion found diabetes mellitus contributed to glaucoma"},{"case_id":"25013762","year":2025,"judge":"KRISTI L. GUNN","rationale":"Conflicting medical opinions regarding etiology.; October 2023 VA opinion linked glaucoma suspect/pigment dispersion to diabetes.; Approximate balance of evidence resolved in Veteran's favor."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26033514","year":2026,"judge":"NEELY M. PEDEN","rationale":"No competent medical opinion links glaucoma to diabetes or herbicide exposure; Glaucoma has no positive association with herbicide exposure per VA regulations; Veteran's lay testimony regarding glaucoma was not medically competent"},{"case_id":"A26023407","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"No diagnosis of glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.; Diagnosed cataracts considered age-related.; No medical opinion linking cataracts to service-connected diabetes."},{"case_id":"A26015185","year":2026,"judge":"DUSTIN L. WARE","rationale":"No competent medical or lay evidence linking eye issues to service.; Veteran suggested link to non-service-connected DM II.; VA examiner opined conditions less likely than not caused by TERA.; Cataracts attributed to age, retinopathy to DM II."}]},"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":487,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":201,"granted_pct":5},"causation_only":{"issues":286,"granted_pct":14.7},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":2.9,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":10,"granted_pct":0,"examples":[{"case_id":"A23031034","year":2023,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The record did not reflect direct service relation, nor did it show peripheral neuropathy manifesting within a year of service."}]}]},"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."}}