Service connection is denied for refractive error of the eye.,Service connection granted for diabetic retinopathy, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current dry eyes and photophobia are not causally related to his period of active military service. However, they are secondary to a pre-existing condition (diabetes). The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability manifested by swollen lymph nodes or prostate disorder that is linked to his period of active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Refractive Error (Presbyopia), Diabetic Retinopathy, Swollen Lymph Nodes (claimed as swollen lymph nodes), Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy/Prostatitis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0923150
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 0923150.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 12, 2017 for the award of service connection for dry eye syndrome. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome is remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and neurogenic bladder condition, require regular aid and attendance. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted. As the issue of housebound status is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance, special monthly compensation based on housebound status is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 21, 2023, for his grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that no evidence or claims related to PTSD could be construed as raising a TDIU claim prior to this date.
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