The Board finds that VA's timely diagnosis and treatment of the Veteran's right eye retinal detachment did not cause his current visual impairment. The surgery to repair the detached retina resulted in improved vision, but the progression of cataracts is a known complication.
The deciding factor: VA provided reasonable care from 2002 to 2007, and the timeliness of treatment was within standard of care.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Eye Retinal Detachment, Cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1636149
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 1636149.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's primary open angle glaucoma with cataracts, as well as a determination of whether he has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes. The case is being remanded to allow for these determinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current eye disabilities are related to service or preexisted with no superimposed injury during service. The VA must obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cataracts are rated at a 10 percent rating, and he is granted a separate 20 percent rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction. The decision also notes that the Veteran has not had any incapacitating episodes in the past year.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining SSA records beyond medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess syncope associated with DM and hypertension.
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