The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral corneal ulcers with Salzmann’s nodular corneal dystrophy is denied, but he is granted a 20 percent rating for lagophthalmos associated with these conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA Regional Office (RO) found that the Veteran's lagophthalmos was part of his service-connected eye disability and assigned him a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6022, which is the highest schedular rating available for bilateral lagophthalmos. The RO also denied his claim for a compensable rating for his corneal ulcers with Salzmann’s nodular corneal dystrophy.
- Claimed conditions
- lagophthalmos, bilateral corneal ulcers, Salzmann's nodular corneal dystrophy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19126394
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,062 · Granted: 34% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19126394.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral corneal ulcers, sleep apnea, and stomach ulcers due to a lack of current diagnoses in his medical records.,There is no persuasive evidence linking any of these conditions to military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for corneal abrasion, finding it secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome; exophthalmos; and lagophthalmos. The decision is based on medical evidence indicating that the corneal abrasions are caused by his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's Salzmann's nodular corneal dystrophy with associated lagophthalmos, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating based on visual impairment or incapacitating episodes. The maximum rating under DC 6022 was already assigned.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids, exophthalmos, lagophthalmos, dry eye syndrome, and a right eye abrasion due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.
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.