The Veteran's right eye pterygium and associated dry eye syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent, the highest possible under current VA rating criteria. The condition does not meet any other diagnostic codes for separate ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's vision is correctable to 20/20, precluding a compensable rating based on visual impairment. His conjunctival scarring does not meet the criteria for disfigurement under DC 7800.
- Claimed conditions
- pterygium, dry eye syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2009
- Citation
- 0927417
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 0927417.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for dry eye syndrome claimed as visual impairment, including blurry vision, blindness, double vision due to procedural error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for OSA is denied as his sleep apnea has not been manifested by persistent daytime hypersomnolence or required use of a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for dry eye syndrome and an increased rating for left knee disability are remanded due to procedural errors in the adjudication process.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's dry eye syndrome and conjunctivitis, including any potential service connection or toxic exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with additional examinations.
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