The VA reduced the appellant's rating for bilateral keratoconus, with corneal transplants from 60% to 50%, which was upheld as proper based on the evidence in the record.
The deciding factor: The reduction of the disability rating was supported by the evidence and followed due process regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- keratoconus, corneal transplants
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 23, 2006
- Citation
- 0601840
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for keratoconus, as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for keratoconus was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the notice of disagreement.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for keratoconus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service environmental exposures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an additional VA examination to address whether the Veteran's eye condition was due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or a similar instance of fault on the part of VA.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.