The Veteran's claims for macular degeneration, left eye; schizophrenia; and PTSD have been dismissed. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA records.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not timely appeal the August 2018 rating decision denying service connection for these conditions within one year of notification.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Macular Degeneration, Left Eye","claimed_condition":"left eye bleeding retina"}, {"condition_name":"Schizophrenia","claimed_condition":""}, {"condition_name":"Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)","claimed_condition":"personal trauma"}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hearing Loss","claimed_condition":""}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2020
- Citation
- A20017723
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.