The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral pterygia, right ankle fracture, and postoperative residuals of a left knee injury were denied. The conditions are currently rated as noncompensable under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any loss of vision or limitation of motion that would warrant a compensable evaluation for bilateral pterygia. For the right ankle fracture, there was full range of motion with no additional limitations related to pain, fatigue, incoordination, weakness, or lack of endurance. The postoperative residuals of the left knee injury were also rated as noncompensable due to mild chronic pain and normal range of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pterygium, Postoperative Residuals of a Left Knee Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2011
- Citation
- 1146720
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 1146720.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral pterygium is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims related to PTSD, shoulder conditions, COPD, and pterygium. The Veteran's service-connected conditions will need further evaluation by VA examiners.
- Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for bilateral pterygium, effective from the date of the decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent prior to April 1, 2020, and greater than 20 percent prior to December 14, 2022, for bilateral pterygium, finding that his service-connected bilateral pterygium is manifested by at worst a corrected distance visual acuity of 20/40 throughout the appeal period.
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