The veteran's claim for restoration of a 50 percent rating for visual field loss due to sickle cell retinopathy was denied.,The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 5, 1995, for the assignment of the 50 percent disability rating for visual field loss due to sickle cell retinopathy was denied.,The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 17, 1995, for the assignment of the 30 percent disability rating for sickle cell disease was granted.

The deciding factor: The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for restoration of a 50 percent evaluation for visual field loss due to bilateral sickle cell retinopathy.,The RO found that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in the appellant's sickle cell disease occurred was July 17, 1995. Therefore, the effective date prior to September 5, 1995, for the assignment of the 50 percent disability rating for visual field loss due to sickle cell retinopathy was denied.,The RO found that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in the appellant's sickle cell disease occurred was July 17, 1995. Therefore, the effective date prior to July 17, 1995, for the assignment of the 30 percent disability rating for sickle cell disease was granted.

Claimed conditions

visual field loss due to bilateral sickle cell retinopathy, sickle cell disease

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

50%

Decision date

March 13, 2006

Citation

0607226