The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not have a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death.
- Claimed conditions
- chorioretinitis, bilateral defective vision
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0836528
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 0836528.
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 claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, as the evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left eye scar, secondary to toxoplasmosis, due to incomplete development and lack of an updated examination. The issue is being returned for further development.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chorioretinitis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the mid-back remains pending as it was remanded by the Board.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, including red eyes, defective vision, and diabetic retinopathy. The January 2015 rating decision found that the vision impairment during service was due to a congenital or developmental defect (refractive error) and did not meet the criteria for service connection.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.