The Veteran's left corneal scar and traumatic iridodialysis are related to an in-service injury. The Board granted service connection for these conditions, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left eye disability (keratoconus, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy) and his service-connected corneal scar and traumatic iridodialysis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner was unable to determine whether the Veteran’s current left eye disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected corneal scar and traumatic iridodialysis without resorting to speculation.
- Claimed conditions
- left corneal scar, traumatic iridodialysis, keratoconus, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19168572
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 19168572.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an effective date prior to April 11, 2013, for the award of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and grade 2+ anterior vacuoles due to a lack of evidence indicating an intent to apply for benefits or communication related to these conditions before that date.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and macular degeneration, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted reconsideration of the issues of entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claims for these conditions were previously denied but are now being readjudicated due to new evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and insomnia, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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