The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral eye disability and remanded his claims for service connection of right kidney disability and for a higher rating for actinic keratoses. The case is now REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s right kidney disability, to include whether it is proximately due or caused by a service-connected disability (specifically kidney stones), and if so, whether it has been aggravated by such.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the Veteran's bilateral eye disability as his visual acuity was only 20/40 in both eyes. The right kidney disability claim is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether it is proximately due or caused by service-connected kidney stones, and if so, whether it has been aggravated.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral retinal pigment epithelial detachments, right nephrectomy with residuals of renal insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20048522
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 20048522.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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