The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left eye disability, finding that a 20 percent evaluation was warranted based on continued 'active eye pathology' as of September 11, 2000.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner noted that the macula was edematous and had laser spots temporal to the macular grid pattern, indicating active eye pathology.
- Claimed conditions
- Branch retinal vein occlusion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2001
- Citation
- 0121172
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 0121172.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 determined that additional examinations and development are needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a separate, compensable disability rating for right eye visual impairment associated with type II diabetes mellitus; service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus; and service connection for hypertension as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including nuclear sclerotic cataracts and branch retinal vein occlusion with diabetic retinopathy (resolved), warrants a 40 percent rating effective September 26, 2016.
- Granted
The Board found that the veteran's loss of vision in his right eye was not caused by VA treatment, but rather due to a retinal tear and detachment unrelated to any blood thinner use. The decision grants compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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