The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral keratoconus and hiatal hernia with esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms of both conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating codes, and there was no indication of considerable impairment of health or other factors that would warrant an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral keratoconus, hiatal hernia with esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2008
- Citation
- 0813689
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claim for service connection for cellulitis and remanded claims for allergic rhinitis, eczema, bilateral keratoconus, sinusitis, and knee conditions due to incomplete records and need for further development.
- Granted
The veteran is granted an initial 20 percent rating for chronic allergic conjunctivitis with bilateral blepharitis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, and bilateral keratoconus. Additionally, a separate initial 10 percent rating is granted for decreased visual acuity due to bilateral keratoconus.
- Denied
The Board denied the appeal, finding that the severance of service connection for bilateral keratoconus was proper due to an erroneous factual finding.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral keratoconus was denied as the evidence did not show sufficient worsening to warrant a higher rating.
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