The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an eye disability was denied because the new evidence submitted did not relate to the issue of whether VA care or treatment caused his current eye disabilities.
The deciding factor: The new evidence did not address whether the Veteran’s current eye conditions were caused by VA care or treatment, and if so, whether they were proximately caused by fault on the part of VA.
- Claimed conditions
- right eye age-related macular degeneration, dry, left eye wet age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2020
- Citation
- A20016557
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 A20016557.
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: Denied
The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for open angle glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract (eye disability) was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by VA's carelessness or negligence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for open angle glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any in-service toxic exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye blindness is due to service-connected glaucoma and grants SMC based on loss of use of one eye.
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.