The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorders, including bilateral cataracts and glaucoma suspect in both eyes, are more likely due to natural aging and diabetes than to a reported in-service injury involving acid from tank batteries. The Veteran's myopia at entry into service is considered a congenital defect.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided an opinion that the current decrease in vision is attributable to bilateral cataract development rather than the reported in-service injury, which was treated without sequelae and did not affect his ability to see when evaluated by the VA.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral myopia, posterior subcapsular cataract (right eye greater than left eye), glaucoma suspect in both eyes, mild xanthelasma (left lower lid greater than right upper lid)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1701003
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1701003.
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: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral myopia, finding that it is a congenital defect and not related to military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on the claims. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for TMJ disorder, bilateral hearing loss, abrasion of the left cornea, and bilateral myopia. However, it granted a 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all listed conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
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