The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and an initial compensable rating for a residual scar on his right thumb. The right eye disability, defined as corectopia, corneal scarring, a cataract, and a retinal tear, was found to have pre-existed service and did not worsen beyond natural progression during such service.
The deciding factor: The veteran's right eye condition had been present prior to his military service and did not worsen during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- cataract, corectopia, corneal scarring, retinal tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2004
- Citation
- 0404366
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,377 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0404366.
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for a retinal tear as there was no evidence of impaired visual acuity or incapacitating episodes.
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The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for open angle glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract (eye disability) was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by VA's carelessness or negligence.
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