The Veteran's currently diagnosed eye disorders (Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus, Cataracts, and Dry Eye Syndrome) are not related to service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran is not rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners have opined that it is less likely than not that the currently diagnosed eye disorders are related to the in-service smallpox vaccination, and no other evidence supports such a link.
- Claimed conditions
- Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus, Cataracts, Dry Eye Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1738488
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 1738488.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 12, 2017 for the award of service connection for dry eye syndrome. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome is remanded.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran is found to be eligible for enrollment in the PCAFC program due to his severe and complex medical conditions, which require personal care services.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected dry eye syndrome is manifested by symptoms comparable to a bilateral disorder of the lacrimal apparatus, and his claim for an initial evaluation of 20 percent has been granted.
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