The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left eye disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation prior to November 18, 2008 and met the criteria for a 30 percent rating from that date until December 2, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's visual acuity remained at or below 20/200 in his left eye throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of active retinitis or incapacitating episodes. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the current level of disability and lack of significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Toxoplasmosis, Chorio-retinitis, Macular Scar, Cataract
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 12, 2018
- Citation
- 1809177
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 1809177.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye visual field loss is due to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date prior to May 23, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not show that his bilateral eye condition manifested symptoms more closely approximating those required for a higher evaluation.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy with pseudophakia of the right eye and cataract of the left eye associated with diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied an increased rating, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on visual impairment.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. The initial disability rating for ischemic optical neuropathy and cataract remains at 10 percent.
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