The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's left eye disability. The examiner needs to provide a clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service, or if not, determine whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.
The deciding factor: The examiner failed to consider the line of duty determination and multiple STRs diagnosing iritis during military service when determining the Veteran's eye conditions were not aggravated by any in-service event, including iritis.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye retinal detachment, iritis, cataract surgery, advanced glaucoma, corneal edema, normal tension glaucoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20022226
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 20022226.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims at a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis and iritis due to duty-to-assist errors, inadequate VA examination, and need for additional development regarding in-service environmental exposures.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye condition, including his diagnosed left eye retinal detachment, is related to service and granted entitlement to service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the eligibility for PCAFC should be reconsidered due to a lack of sufficient reasoning in the previous decision. The case is being remanded to provide a more detailed and thoroughly explained medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services, supervision or protection, and regular extensive instruction.
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.