The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing keratoconus of the left eye did not increase in severity during service beyond its natural progression, thus denying his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: VA medical evidence established that the Veteran's keratoconus progressed normally over time and was not aggravated by active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- keratoconus of the left eye
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2012
- Citation
- 1244434
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1244434.
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 Board granted service connection for keratoconus of the left eye, finding that the Veteran's current disability was incurred in service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA eye examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is dependent on the left eye increased rating claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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