The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's fibromyalgia. The claims for high cholesterol and vision disorder remain denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that service connection cannot be granted as a matter of law for refractive errors of the eyes, including the Veteran's diagnosed vision disorder, because they are congenital in nature and not diseases or injuries within the meaning of applicable legislation relating to service connection. Service connection for high cholesterol was denied due to it being a laboratory finding without evidence of an in-service disease or injury.
- Claimed conditions
- High Cholesterol, Vision Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19164190
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 19164190.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The veteran has withdrawn the appeal, and there are no remaining allegations of errors for appellate consideration.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to November 13, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to lack of an opinion on etiology.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded due to lack of an opinion on etiology.,Service connection for high cholesterol secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus is remanded due to lack of an opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was not rated higher than 40 percent prior to November 13, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.,Service connection for left lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of an opinion on etiology.,Service connection for right lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of an opinion on etiology.,Service connection for left lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of an opinion on etiology.,Service connection for right lower extremity neuralgia parenthetical is remanded due to lack of an opinion on etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and it is now granted. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has caused or aggravated his sleep apnea, headaches, and high cholesterol. Service connection for these conditions is granted.
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.