The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability and dental conditions due to lead paint exposure, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these disabilities and service. The Veteran's current diagnoses of cataracts and periodontal disease were found to be unrelated to his in-service exposures.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA examiners determined that the Veteran’s current eye and dental conditions are not related to lead paint exposure during service, with the primary reasons being lack of a causal link between the in-service exposure and the current diagnoses, as well as other factors such as age-related presbyopia for eyes and untreated periodontal disease for teeth.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye disability, dental condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19179242
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 disabilities, including abnormal weight loss, a bladder disability, blockage of the neck arteries, and others. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's left eye disability was caused or aggravated by VA treatment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, including carpal tunnel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, left eye, left elbow, left hip, left shoulder, hemorrhoids, headaches, back, neck, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and prediabetes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left eye disability to ensure VA's duty to assist is met, including obtaining outstanding federal and private treatment records and an adequate medical opinion.
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