The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic blepharitis and partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction, finding that his current eye conditions were not related to mustard gas exposure during service.
The deciding factor: The VA ophthalmologist concluded that scarring closed of the naso-lacrimal duct by an action of a war gas such as sulphur mustard without evidence of other severe ocular disease was not a reasonable cause and effect relationship.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic blepharitis, partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2001
- Citation
- 0121402
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0121402.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal to receive a higher rating for his service-connected chronic blepharitis was dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal of the claim during his hearing.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected eye disabilities are rated at a noncompensable disability rating, with the most recent examination showing visual acuity of 20/40 corrected distance bilaterally and an average contraction of the visual field of 46 to 60 degrees bilaterally.,VA has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development regarding his service-connected eye disabilities, including chronic blepharitis with dermatochalasis (baggy eyelids) and dry eyes. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic blepharitis was manifested by active conjunctivitis at any time during the appeal period. The claim is being returned for further action.
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