Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are not service-connected and do not warrant a compensable rating.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as the evidence does not establish that it began during or was caused by active duty service.,Service connection for a heart disability (claimed as atherosclerosis) is denied due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chronic kidney dysfunction and polyuria claimed to be due to nephrectomy occurring at a VA facility is denied because informed consent was present, and there is no proximate cause of the disability from the procedure.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a back disability claimed to be due to nephrectomy occurring at a VA facility is denied as the Veteran's condition did not result from the procedure.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are mild and do not cause any significant visual impairment, thus no compensable rating can be assigned.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that hypertension began during service or was caused by diabetes mellitus. The condition likely developed post-service.,Service connection for a heart disability (claimed as atherosclerosis) cannot be established due to lack of credible evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's kidney dysfunction and polyuria are not proximately due to the VA nephrectomy, as informed consent was present and there is no reasonable foreseeability that such complications would occur. The disability is also not considered a direct result of the procedure.,The Veteran's back disability is not proximately due to the VA nephrectomy, as it did not result from the procedure.

Claimed conditions
Bilateral cataracts, Heart disability (claimed as atherosclerosis), Hypertension, Chronic kidney dysfunction
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
August 28, 2017
Citation
1735595

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 1735595.

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.

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.