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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0918599.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye optic neuropathy and traumatic angle recession with asymmetric intraocular pressure is granted.
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.