The Board denied service connection for bilateral cone dystrophy, DJD of the right knee, and DJD of the left knee. The Veteran's vision loss was attributed to nonexudative age-related macular degeneration, which began in 2004. His knee conditions were found to be due to aging rather than service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s bilateral cone dystrophy and DJD of both knees did not have a direct connection to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral cone dystrophy, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18107001
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 18107001.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for the lumbar spine disability and granted a 20 percent evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy, while denying compensable evaluations for other conditions. The Board also remanded several service connection claims.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety disorder, and left ear hearing loss. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's ED is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically chondromalacia of the right knee and degenerative joint disease of the left knee.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 22, 2017 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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