The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye optic neuropathy and left jaw/mandible fracture are not related to his service in the military, and thus denied both claims.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service in the military. The injuries were caused by an altercation while intoxicated with alcohol, which is considered willful misconduct.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye optic neuropathy, left jaw/mandible fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2009
- Citation
- 0918599
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 0918599.
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 Veteran's left eye disability, which includes optic neuropathy with visual distortion and strabismus, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied an increased evaluation as the evidence does not support a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye optic neuropathy, bilateral presbyopia, and bilateral cataracts. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or any service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left eye optic neuropathy and denied service connection for residuals of a stent placement for a peripheral vascular deficiency. The appeal regarding the right upper extremity condition is remanded, as well as the appeal regarding the left upper extremity condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye optic neuropathy and traumatic angle recession with asymmetric intraocular pressure is granted.
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