The Veteran's vision loss is not severe enough to qualify for special monthly compensation due to the surgeries he underwent, which have improved his visual acuity.
The deciding factor: The most recent examinations show that the Veteran's visual acuity is better than 5/200 and can be corrected to at least 20/25, thus not meeting the criteria for SMC.
- Claimed conditions
- Loss of vision, Keratoconus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18150519
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 18150519.
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 dismissed the appeal of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for hearing loss of the right ear. The claim for service connection for an eye disorder of the left eye is remanded due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for loss of vision, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and a gastrointestinal disability.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for aid and attendance for his spouse has been dismissed as he requested its withdrawal during a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for brain tumor and loss of vision will be addressed in separate decisions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right eye conjunctivitis with keratoconus status post corneal transplant from February 1, 2018 is rated at 30 percent and no higher due to the severity of his visual acuity impairment.
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