The Veteran's bilateral eye disability is rated at 40% effective February 24, 2017. His lower back disorder remains at a noncompensable rating. Service connection for fibromyalgia and gout are granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral eye disability caused incapacitating episodes of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months, warranting a rating of 40% effective February 24, 2017. His lower back disorder did not meet criteria for higher ratings. Service connection was granted for fibromyalgia and gout based on new evidence submitted after his last denial. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is also granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Eye Disability, Lower Back Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2017
- Citation
- 1749523
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 1749523.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.,His acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is rated at 50 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral eye disability is related to in-service toxic exposure risk activities other than herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for a right hip disorder and remanded the claim for service connection for a lower back disorder due to insufficient evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral eye disability, both of which are found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder.
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