The Veteran's left eye vision loss is not deemed to be the result of VA care, and it was a foreseeable event.
The deciding factor: The independent medical expert concluded that the further vision loss in the Veteran's left eye was due to end-stage retinal detachment or advanced glaucoma, which are complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The event was also reasonably foreseeable prior to the provision of treatment by VA.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Eye Vision Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1706715
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 1706715.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's left eye vision loss is not considered to be due to VA laser surgery, and the Board finds that there is no additional disability resulting from this procedure.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye vision loss is not due to the August 2003 VA surgical procedures, including a keratoplasty and trabeculectomy. The surgery did result in some improvement of his vision but ultimately worsened over time.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 7, 2010. The Board previously denied the claim prior to this date.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's left eye vision loss was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The event of a non-feeling eye exposed to dehydration and infection was foreseeable.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.