The Board denied service connection for status post right retinal detachment with scleral buckle and a dental disorder for purposes of compensation and treatment due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The veteran's right eye disorder was attributed to prior cataract surgery, while his dental condition was not found to be related to diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's right retinal detachment with scleral buckle was less likely than not caused by service due to a higher incidence of retinal detachment in individuals who had undergone previous cataract surgery. The dental disorder was also deemed unrelated to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- status post right retinal detachment with scleral buckle, periodontal disease, treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0921017
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 0921017.
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 Veteran's periodontal disease is service-connected for treatment purposes only, given his current 100% schedular evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder (periodontal disease) as there was no new and relevant evidence received since the June 2019 rating decision to support her claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to need regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot.
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