The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for vision loss in the left eye, finding that there was no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA and that the Veteran's condition was not caused by VA care.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided were against the claim, stating that the fall occurred after discharge from the VA hospital and that the prescribed medication (Travoprost) was administered during the Veteran's stay at the VA facility. The progressive nature of glaucoma was also noted as a reasonable foreseeability by a healthcare provider.
- Claimed conditions
- vision loss in the left eye
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18141790
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 18141790.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice regarding how to establish service connection for aggravation of a congenital disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for dizzy spells, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service motorcycle accident and chronic symptoms are credible. The claim for vision loss in the left eye is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the VA Regional Office and VAMC, as well as Social Security Administration records. A new VA opinion is also needed to address whether the complications of the July 2001 cataract surgery were reasonably foreseeable.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for vision loss in the left eye resulting from cataract surgery at a VA medical facility on July 10, 2001. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and need for further development.
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.