The Board found that the November 1992 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for Stargardt's disease, which was determined to be a congenital condition not aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board concluded that there was no specific finding indicating that the increase in disability from Stargardt's disease was due to its natural progress during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Stargardt's disease
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2004
- Citation
- 0423006
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 0423006.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 the VA opinion in connection with the Veteran's claim for service connection for Stargardt's disease is inadequate and requires further development. The matter is being remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service, if so, whether it was aggravated by service, and whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for Stargardt's disease to obtain a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension has aggravated his condition and whether his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam may have aggravated his hereditary Stargardt's disease.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including Stargardt's disease and anxiety disorder with depressive disorder. The SMC rate is set at 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral eye condition and its relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for macular degeneration or blindness, but the VA examiner did not provide sufficient information on whether his condition preexisted service or was aggravated by a superimposed injury during service.
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