The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for optic atrophy of the left eye was denied as his visual acuity in the right eye is sufficient to warrant a 30 percent rating, and there are no other issues or conditions involved.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's loss of vision in the left eye has been rated based on the best corrected visual acuity in the right eye, which is 20/40 or better. The criteria for higher ratings do not apply as his condition does not meet the requirements for a rating greater than 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Optic Atrophy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2013
- Citation
- 1313265
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 1313265.
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's diagnosed LHON and its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide exposure.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis with optic atrophy and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis within the presumptive period.
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