The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's right eye condition did not contribute to his death and thus denying the claim.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not show that the service-connected retinal detachment caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran’s death.
- Claimed conditions
- retinal detachment of the right eye, chondromalacia patella in both knees
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20011286
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20011286.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's retinal detachment of the right eye, including whether it is related to toxic exposure during service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed.,An earlier effective date of September 29, 2015 has been granted for the 70 percent rating for PTSD.,An earlier effective date of September 29, 2015 has also been granted for TDIU.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) has been granted from November 1, 2018.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions are granted as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. His skin cancer is remanded for further examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral eye disorders, tinea pedis, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to the need for additional development of records from Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.