The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the December 2015 VA examination report and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral cataracts are etiologically related to his exposure to a mortar attack during service. The claim remains in appellate status.
The deciding factor: The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's cataracts are etiologically related to his established exposure to an explosion during a mortar attack in Vietnam, or if otherwise etiologically related to his service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral cataracts
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2016
- Citation
- 1617811
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 1617811.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all appeals except for the claim of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain. The appeal concerning the other issues on appeal is dismissed.
- 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.
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