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.
The deciding factor: The best corrected visual acuity remained at or above 20/50, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral keratoconus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 18, 2009
- Citation
- 0910026
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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.