The Veteran's central retinal vein occlusion of the left eye is service connected and has been rated at 30 percent. The claim for increased special monthly compensation based on loss of use of one eye having only light perception was denied, but the glaucoma neovascular of the left eye associated with this condition is now granted as secondary to the central retinal vein occlusion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's visual impairment in his left eye does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to incapacitating episodes or other factors. However, service connection was established for glaucoma neovascular of the left eye as secondary to the central retinal vein occlusion.
- Claimed conditions
- Central retinal vein occlusion of the left eye, Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction with coronary bypass graft
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2020
- Citation
- A20018997
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 A20018997.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development regarding toxic exposures and a VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's heart conditions and PTSD were rated at their highest levels (100% for heart conditions, 70% for PTSD) effective December 11, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran was granted benefits related to his disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of January 9, 2018 for the award of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) based on the cause of death due to acute myocardial infarction. The decision is final as it relates back to the date entitlement arose.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was denied. The current rating of 10 percent is maintained.
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