The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral eye disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis related to either eye and no evidence of an in-service event or injury. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability of either eye.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion, muscle spasm, or abnormal gait/seated posture resulting from this condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records do not show any in-service event or injury related to his current eye disability. The VA examination did not find any current diagnosis for either eye and the Veteran is not competent to provide a medical opinion regarding causation.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Eye Disability, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine, Traumatic Arthritis of the Thoracic Spine with Chronic Lumbar Strain, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2018
- Citation
- 18109420
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 18109420.
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: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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