The Veteran's eye disorders, including exotropia, amblyopia, refractive errors, cataracts, and pseudophakia, were not incurred in or related to his active service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during military service that resulted in increased disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's eye disorders are congenital or developmental defects and were not subjected to a superimposed disease or injury during military service that caused additional disability. The conditions predated his entry into active service, making the presumption of soundness applicable.,There is no evidence indicating that any of the Veteran's eye disorders worsened during service or that there was any superimposed disease or injury during military service that resulted in increased disability associated with these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Exotropia, Amblyopia, Refractive Errors, Cataracts, Pseudophakia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18131750
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 18131750.
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current eye disabilities are related to service or preexisted with no superimposed injury during service. The VA must obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.
- Granted
The Veteran's cataracts are rated at a 10 percent rating, and he is granted a separate 20 percent rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction. The decision also notes that the Veteran has not had any incapacitating episodes in the past year.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining SSA records beyond medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess syncope associated with DM and hypertension.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.