The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion regarding whether his service-connected keratoconus caused or aggravated his diagnosed bilateral astigmatism.
The deciding factor: The April 2013 VA medical opinion did not address the issue of whether the Veteran's service-connected keratoconus caused or aggravated his diagnosed bilateral astigmatism, as directed by the February 2013 Board remand.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral astigmatism, keratoconus
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2013
- Citation
- 1324115
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 1324115.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial compensable disability rating for keratoconus and the initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's eye disabilities, including bilateral cataracts, hypertensive retinopathy, hypermetropia, astigmatism, presbyopia, unspecified peripheral retinal degeneration, dry eye syndrome, presence of intraocular lens, old branch retinal vein occlusion, and bilateral pinguecula.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was denied as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for depression was denied because his symptoms were consistent with those already covered by his existing service-connected disability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for keratoconus, depression, and sleep apnea have been readjudicated. The claim of service connection for keratoconus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and sleep apnea are remanded to the AOJ for further review.
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