The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left eye posttraumatic cataracts, status post intraocular lens replacement is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and opinions regarding his visual field loss and glare symptoms.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for updated medical evidence and opinion to address the Veteran's complaints of visual field loss and glare from lights while driving at night, which may be related to his service-connected left eye disability or other conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye posttraumatic cataracts, left eye dry eye
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19171721
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 19171721.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right eye dry eyes, cataracts of the left and right eyes, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left renal arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, recurrent subluxation of the left knee prior to May 13, 2020, left total knee replacement, disability rating in excess of 60 percent from September 1, 2021, forward for left total knee replacement, DJD of the right knee, right knee instability, burns of the bilateral ankles, linear scar of the left knee, post-surgical tender scars of the left knee, and a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) based upon service-connected disabilities prior to June 14, 2019.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye dry eye and cataract are related to injuries sustained during INACDUTRA, and therefore service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a respiratory disability is granted. The case is remanded for further development and opinion regarding the nature of his current respiratory condition and its relationship to service. The case is also remanded for an ophthalmologist's opinion on the etiology of his left eye cataract and dry eye.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include left knee, right knee, diabetes mellitus, left eye disability (including glaucoma), erectile dysfunction, bilateral kidney disability, and anemia.
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