The Veteran's service-connected optic neuropathy of the left eye is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the medical evidence does not support a higher evaluation as he has normal vision in his right eye.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's visual acuity in both eyes remains within normal limits, preventing him from meeting the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Optic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2009
- Citation
- 0918434
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0918434.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's vision loss disability, diagnosed as optic neuropathy, was incurred during service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's optic neuropathy with bilateral central scotomas is granted a 20 percent rating. The Veteran is also granted Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and optic neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected optic neuropathy needs to be re-evaluated due to conflicting findings from previous examinations. A new examination is required to determine the current severity of his condition.
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