The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral incipient senile cataracts are a known clinical diagnosis and not a qualifying chronic disability for presumptive service connection under the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act. The Veteran's current eye disorder is related to his age-related lens changes, consistent with his combat status during active service.
The deciding factor: The April 2013 VA DBQ examination concluded that the Veteran's cataracts are not related to his IED blast event during active service due to their age-related nature and lack of evidence of trauma or direct ocular injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Incipient Senile Cataracts, Refractive Error
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2013
- Citation
- 1335011
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 1335011.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right eye disorder (refractive error) due to unclear records and a need for addendum opinions regarding the onset of visual field defect.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim was denied due to his refractive issues, but he testified about eye irritation and sensitivity. The Board ordered a remand for further examination and evidence collection.
- Denied
The Veteran does not have a current vision or eye disability other than a refractive error of the eye, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature of his psychiatric and eye conditions, including whether he was exposed to gas chambers during service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.