The Board found that the veteran's right eye injury and subsequent vision loss were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The decision denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
The deciding factor: The September 1986 cataract extraction surgery resulted in complications such as cystoid macular edema and corneal changes that affected the veteran's vision, but these were not due to VA carelessness or negligence.
- Claimed conditions
- Right eye cataract, Corneal scar of right eye, Cystoid macular edema, Aphakia (cataract extraction)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 22, 2005
- Citation
- 0504810
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 0504810.
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 heart disability, hypertension, right eye cataract, neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, as well as a TDIU claim. However, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran was granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), 20 percent for right eye cataract, and 10 percent for right eye corneal scar.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right eye cataract as proximately due to service connected diabetes mellitus, type II and a 50 percent disability rating for headaches. The claim for a separate rating for dizziness associated with headaches is also granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right eye cataracts resulting from VA treatment and also denied service connection for the condition, finding no additional disability due to negligence or similar fault on VA's part.
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