The Board has determined that the Veteran's pterygium of the left eye is related to his period of service, while there is no evidence linking his bilateral macular degeneration to his service. The claim for an eye disability other than pterygium of the left eye is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found a negative nexus between the Veteran's macular degeneration and in-service sun exposure, attributing it to aging factors.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral macular degeneration, left eye pterygium
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1633251
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 1633251.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye pterygium is remanded due to a failure to consider her lay statements regarding increased exposure to ultraviolet rays in service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral macular degeneration pre-existed service and was aggravated by military service. The case is now pending further clarification from an appropriate medical professional.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome but denied service connection for bilateral asteroid hyalosis, bilateral cataracts, and left eye pterygium. The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is linked to his active duty service, while the other conditions are not.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for his service-connected bilateral focal chorioretinitis, bilateral optic neuritis, peripheral retinal degeneration, bilateral macular degeneration, and bilateral optic neuropathy, as well as PTSD with unspecified neurocognitive disorder and TBI.
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