The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral macular degeneration was granted, with an effective date of September 26, 2019. The current rating is 70 percent for the period from June 22, 2015 onwards.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's bilateral macular degeneration has resulted in a significant decrease in visual acuity, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other complications.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Macular Degeneration
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20025470
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 20025470.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) incorrectly concluded that the Veteran does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on her disability conditions. The CEAT review overlooked evidence indicating she may need supervision or protection due to neurological impairments, as well as regular or extensive instruction or supervision due to her eye condition and lumbar spine condition. As such, the Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine if personal care services are required for a minimum of six continuous months.
- Denied
The rating for bilateral macular degeneration was reduced from 100% to 0%, effective February 1, 1972, due to fraud. The reduction and discontinuance of benefits were upheld.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, and bilateral macular degeneration due to new evidence and need for further examination.
- Partly granted
The Board is unable to determine the validity of the Veteran's claims for bilateral macular degeneration, detached retinae, retinal tears, or other acquired eye disorder due to conflicting evidence and unanswered questions. The issues are considered 'mixed' as some conditions may be service-connected while others cannot be determined.
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