The August 1968 rating decision found that the Veteran's defective vision pre-existed his active service and was not aggravated by it, concluding that any aggravation would have been due to natural progress. The Board finds this conclusion incorrect based on clear and unmistakable error.
The deciding factor: The prior determination incorrectly applied the correct legal standard in concluding that the Veteran's pre-existing defective vision did not meet the criteria for service connection as a result of aggravation during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Defective vision
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2015
- Citation
- 1548349
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1548349.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's defective vision, diagnosed as age-related macular degeneration, is not related to his service or any service-connected conditions. Therefore, service connection for defective vision is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate should be restored due to a lack of proper coding in his previous rating decision. However, the claim is being remanded for further development as it also involves defective vision and whether the Veteran is substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for defective vision has been reopened, and service connection is granted.,Service connection is granted for a depressive disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus, and nephropathy proximately due to diabetes mellitus. Service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes is denied.,Issues related to sleep apnea, bilateral eye disabilities, and TDIU are remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's defective vision, secondary to a fracture of the frontal skull and bilateral orbit, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to October 2, 2005 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board has granted an increased rating to 40 percent for the period prior to October 2, 2005 and 50 percent thereafter.
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