The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right eye trauma with retained intraocular foreign body, surgical aphakia, and exotropia was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on visual impairment or incapacitating episodes. For tinnitus, service connection was denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his service-connected right eye disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown to be related to his service-connected right eye disability and there were no documented incapacitating episodes of tinnitus requiring treatment visits. The Board found that the Veteran's lay statements regarding a connection between his tinnitus and his eye surgery were not competent or probative evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- right eye trauma with retained intraocular foreign body, surgical aphakia, exotropia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19191653
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 19191653.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee and back pain, exotropia, GERD, and hemorrhoids, due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.
- Partly granted
The appeal regarding the timeliness of the March 2004 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) is granted. An effective date of January 7, 2014, for service connection for PTSD is also granted. All other issues are remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the right-eye impairment (other than macular and retinal scarring) based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's right-eye vision went from perfect to qualifying as legal blindness during his service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a left eye condition, to include defective vision with amblyopia, external strabismus, and exotropia, based on aggravation of a preexisting disability.
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.