The Veteran's blindness in the left eye with right eye glaucoma and cataract is currently rated at 70 percent, but a higher rating of over 70 percent is being remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: There is conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran’s cataracts are preoperative or postoperative, which requires additional examination to determine their current state and severity.
- Claimed conditions
- blindness in the left eye, right eye glaucoma, cataract
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20040403
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 20040403.
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 appeal for service connection for fatigue was dismissed. His headaches, IBS, GERD, allergic rhinitis, sinus, and sleep apnea were all granted. The left knee disability and cataract claims are still pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression, insomnia, diabetes mellitus type II, left eye glaucoma, and right eye glaucoma due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to burn pits during his Southwest theater of operations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected eye disability, including cataract with meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye syndrome, is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that relevant VA treatment records from VistA Imaging are missing.
- 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.
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