The veteran is currently receiving a 70 percent rating for his bilateral pterygium since February 10, 2004. Prior to that date, he was not entitled to any compensable evaluation due to the loss of vision being attributed to other causes. After August 14, 2002, the VA received evidence indicating that the veteran's loss of vision is due to his pterygium.
The deciding factor: The VA received a private eye examination report on August 14, 2002, which indicated that the veteran's best corrected distant vision was 20/50 in both eyes. This evidence established that the loss of vision was related to his bilateral pterygium as of this date. However, prior to this date, there was no clinical evidence showing a direct relationship between the pterygium and the loss of vision.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pterygium
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 14, 2005
- Citation
- 0516119
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 0516119.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral pterygium is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims related to PTSD, shoulder conditions, COPD, and pterygium. The Veteran's service-connected conditions will need further evaluation by VA examiners.
- Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for bilateral pterygium, effective from the date of the decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent prior to April 1, 2020, and greater than 20 percent prior to December 14, 2022, for bilateral pterygium, finding that his service-connected bilateral pterygium is manifested by at worst a corrected distance visual acuity of 20/40 throughout the appeal period.
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