{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/retinal-dystrophy-including-retinitis-pigmentosa-macular-degeneration-secondary-to-diabetes","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:35.025Z","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":"Retinal dystrophy (including retinitis pigmentosa macular degeneration) secondary to diabetes","secondary_condition":"Retinal dystrophy (including retinitis pigmentosa macular degeneration)","service_connected_disability":"diabetes","decisions":416,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":37,"denied_pct":20.2,"remanded_pct":42.1,"granted_on_merits_pct":64.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":38,"granted_pct":18.4,"denied_pct":47.4,"remanded_pct":28.9},{"year":2018,"issues":52,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":42.3,"remanded_pct":32.7},{"year":2019,"issues":58,"granted_pct":27.6,"denied_pct":12.1,"remanded_pct":58.6},{"year":2020,"issues":62,"granted_pct":37.1,"denied_pct":19.4,"remanded_pct":43.5},{"year":2021,"issues":47,"granted_pct":40.4,"denied_pct":14.9,"remanded_pct":44.7},{"year":2022,"issues":43,"granted_pct":51.2,"denied_pct":14,"remanded_pct":34.9},{"year":2023,"issues":54,"granted_pct":53.7,"denied_pct":7.4,"remanded_pct":38.9},{"year":2024,"issues":37,"granted_pct":40.5,"denied_pct":13.5,"remanded_pct":45.9},{"year":2025,"issues":29,"granted_pct":37.9,"denied_pct":20.7,"remanded_pct":41.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":75.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":70,"granted_pct_with":83.3,"granted_pct_without":59.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":233,"granted_pct_with":58.8,"granted_pct_without":72.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":80,"granted_pct_with":87.3,"granted_pct_without":56.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":167,"granted_pct_with":52,"granted_pct_without":73.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":136,"granted_pct_with":75.8,"granted_pct_without":57.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":331,"granted_pct_with":62.1,"granted_pct_without":77.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":50},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":24},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":16},{"reason":"criteria for secondary service connection met","decisions":5},{"reason":"diabetic retinopathy is a known complication of diabetes","decisions":3},{"reason":"diabetic retinopathy diagnosed","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":11},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":8},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":7},{"reason":"service connection for diabetes mellitus denied","decisions":5},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":5},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":3}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005036","year":2026,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts post-service.; Recognized complications of diabetes mellitus.; Private medical opinion confirmed these conditions are approximately due to Type I diabetes."},{"case_id":"A26036320","year":2026,"judge":"J. T. HUTCHESON","rationale":"Diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy in January 2014; January 2025 VA eye exam found retinopathy related to Type II diabetes mellitus"},{"case_id":"26003809","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"Veteran diagnosed with proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema in both eyes.; Diabetic retinopathy is most likely caused by diabetes.; Granted as caused by diabetes mellitus, type 2.; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A25087007","year":2025,"judge":"G. E. WILKERSON","rationale":"Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in both eyes; AOJ favorably found secondary connection to DM2; Underlying DM2 not service-connected; Secondary connection therefore not warranted"},{"case_id":"A25086721","year":2025,"judge":"L. HOWELL","rationale":"No in-service incurrence of vision disorder; No nexus to service established; Secondary claim denied as DM not service-connected"},{"case_id":"A25070573","year":2025,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Hypermetropia/presbyopia are congenital and not ratable; No positive association between eye diseases and herbicide exposure; Evidence weighed against nexus to service or bright light exposure"}]},"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":428,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":65,"granted_pct":7.7},"causation_only":{"issues":363,"granted_pct":42.4},"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."}}