The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected bilateral vision impairment, with status post intraocular lens implant of the left eye, as the evidence did not show greater impairment than currently demonstrated.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current visual acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral vision impairment, status post intraocular lens implant of the left eye
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2002
- Citation
- 0217402
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 0217402.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GERD, bilateral vision impairment, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, headaches, heart disability, hypertension, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right hip condition, sleep apnea, and urinary frequency.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral vision impairment, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected chronic myelogenous leukemia.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand twelve service connection claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining fourteen issues were previously denied in a November 2014 rating decision and require issuance of a statement of the case.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and heart condition due to lack of new and material evidence.
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