The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability was previously denied in 1973. New evidence has been submitted, and the claim is now reopened. The case is being remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the left eye condition.
The deciding factor: New evidence has been introduced that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye disability, malignant melanoma of the left iris
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20005811
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 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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