The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for heart disease is dismissed. The Veteran does not have any current eye disorders or right third finger disabilities related to service, and there is no causal relationship between his bilateral eye disorders and service-connected right shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: There was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's claimed conditions and service, particularly given that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed eye or right third finger disabilities during service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current eye disorders (presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism) are not eligible for service connection as they do not constitute diseases or injuries within the meaning of applicable legislation.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral eye disorders, heart disease, right shoulder disability, right third finger disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 1, 2017
- Citation
- 1736838
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 1736838.
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 Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for residuals of gallbladder removal and remanded the other claims due to insufficient evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, right shin, and left shin disabilities manifested by pain causing impairment in earning capacity. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms during service.
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