The Board found that the veteran's decreased visual acuity existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The increase in severity of his condition during service was due to its natural progression.
The deciding factor: The veteran's pre-existing bilateral macular degeneration with decreased visual acuity did not worsen during service, as evidenced by the natural progression of the disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Decreased visual acuity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0206523
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 0206523.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed decreased visual acuity. The AOJ must obtain an advisory opinion from a neurology expert to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities or medications could be causing or aggravating his eye conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for decreased visual acuity is remanded due to inadequate medical nexus opinions and lack of cooperation upon physical testing. The AOJ must obtain updated VA treatment records and request any relevant post-service private treatment records from the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for decreased visual acuity, diabetic retinopathy, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a back disorder and a neck disorder, both secondary to service-connected right ankle and foot disability, and an increased evaluation for intertrigo of the groin and scrotum.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking compensation for loss of visual acuity resulting from a June 2009 VA surgical procedure. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology and proximate cause of his decreased vision.
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