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Denied

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, and a bilateral shoulder disability (including arthritis). The Veteran's glaucoma is not considered to be related to his military service. His bilateral cataracts are also not considered to be related to his military service as they were first noted years after separation from active duty. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing shoulder condition was not aggravated by service and denied service connection for it. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.,The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, a bilateral shoulder disability (including arthritis), and hypertension. The Veteran's glaucoma is not considered to be related to his military service. His bilateral cataracts are also not considered to be related to his military service as they were first noted years after separation from active duty. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing shoulder condition was not aggravated by service and denied service connection for it. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence does not show a current disability of glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, or arthritis in the shoulders. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated during military service.,The evidence does not show a current disability of glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, or arthritis in the shoulders. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated during military service and that hypertension was first noted years after separation from active duty.

Claimed conditions
glaucoma, cataracts, bilateral shoulder disability (including arthritis)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
July 14, 2020
Citation
20047095

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 20047095.

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