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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1313265.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was previously denied in 1959. The Board has reopened the claim and remanded it for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including optic atrophy, as it was determined to be due to a congenital defect (Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy) that pre-existed service and is not related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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