The Board determined that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa. After reviewing all relevant evidence, including service records and post-service medical records, it was concluded that the Veteran's current condition of retinitis pigmentosa is a hereditary disease that existed prior to his entry into service but did not clearly and unmistakably exist as an active disease process prior to service. The Board found that the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.
The deciding factor: The evidence established that the Veteran had retinitis pigmentosa, which was first noted in service at age 18, and it was determined that this condition existed prior to his entry into service but did not clearly and unmistakably exist as an active disease process prior to service. The Board concluded that the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.
- Claimed conditions
- retinitis pigmentosa
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2014
- Citation
- 1449436
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 1449436.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the motion to revise a 1968 rating decision denying service connection for retinitis pigmentosa due to the Veteran's death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa, finding no evidence of a nexus to active service.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 3, 2001, for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa based on the re-evaluation of previously unassociated service treatment records.
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