diabetes Diabetic Retinopathy

[scottinmt]

I have a service connected disability which includes Diabetes. I recently changed States and while getting set up for the new facility the Dr. stated that in an eye test over a year ago in another state they determined I have diabetic retinopathy. The prior VA facility did not tell me this, but the Dr. let me read it on the screen.

My question is this, should I have this rated, does the diagnosis alone qualify me for a rating or does it require significant rather than minor damage?

Thank you for your help!

[Philip Rogers]

They should have rated it. I'd file a CUE on it. jmo

pr

[Navy04]

The VA should have rated it as Secondary. That CUE can take a lot of years, even if you win. Being that you are not 100% VA, I would submit a new FDC claim, and you should be granted SC within the year. Get the money first, and they you can always challenge the VA when you have all the evidence. Good luck and keep us posted

[Philip Rogers]

navy04 - A CUE can also be completed almost immediately, especially when it's a simple error, like this. jmo

pr

[john999]

Yes, if the CUE is very clear the VA can act fast. I got one in about 4 months on my Housebound SMC. This is unusual, but if the CUE is unquestionable you can get it fast.

If there is the slightest question about the CUE then it is off to the races.

[scottinmt]

Thank you for your feedback, I had a follow-up appointment where they found 2 "bleeders" next to my optic nerve (one in each eye), I'm supposed to go back in for another appointment in a month. The Dr. told me I have "mild" retinopathy but I'm not really sure what this means, bleeders next to my optic nerves doesn't sound "mild" to me. I understand that it is service connected and eligible for a rating as a secondary condition but don't have any idea if it should receive a % rating. I would appreciate comments from anyone that has experience in dealing with this issue.

Thank you!

Scott

[Jerry 1952]

My husband just registered last week for VA benefits after serving in Viet Nam in 1971 in the army.  We are waiting for approval.  In 2014, he was diagnosed with macular degenerative retina disease but had already been diagnosed as pre-diabetic by our family physician which did turn into diabetes.  I read online today that diabetic retinopathy does occur in pre-diabetes patients too.  His is serious.  His right eye is still the "dry" kind but his left eye has gone into the wet kind and he has been having to get shots in that eye for years to keep his vision plus they closely watch the right eye to try and keep it from going into the wet kind.  I know that diabetes is covered from Agent Orange and this eye problem is secondary.  My husband served in Da Nang where some of the highest concentrations of Agent Orange was sprayed we have been told and that it is still deep in the ground there.  Any suggestions on what we should do once he gets approved?  Do we go to the Agent Orange VA Center in Houston, file a claim at our local VA office, or what?  We have our own insurance through my husband's previous employer which was Shell Oil but I guess he will sign up for health benefits through the VA too.  We are lost and have wasted a lot of time here if he is eligible for benefits I suppose.  Please advise if you can. 

 

Thank you,

 

Jerry and Barbara Jo