The Veteran does not have any additional disability as a result of VA treatment for his detached retina, and the Board finds that this is due to the natural progression of the disease rather than negligence or fault on the part of VA.
The deciding factor: An independent medical expert concluded that the Veteran's visual disability was likely due to involvement of the macula in his retinal detachment, which has a guarded visual outcome even with proper reattachment of the retina.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Eye Blindness, Retinal Detachment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2012
- Citation
- 1210775
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 1210775.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right eye blindness is granted.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of the right eye is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for right eye blindness prior to January 13, 2014 remains pending and will be remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran is eligible for PCAFC benefits but needs further clarification on the level of stipend (Level 1 or Level 2) based on his specific needs. The case is being remanded to determine this.
- Granted
The Veteran's loss of use of the left eye, resulting in blindness with only light perception, is due to his service-connected bilateral glaucoma. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's right eye disability, characterized by visual acuity no worse than 20/200 and visual field deficits no worse than 20/70, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current manifestations of his condition.
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