The Veteran's initial rating for blindness, left eye with NLP and right eye vision loss due to stroke prior to February 19, 2014 was denied as his visual acuity in the right eye did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is dismissed as moot since he has been receiving SMC benefits.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected blindness and vision loss due to stroke prior to February 19, 2014 did not meet the criteria for a higher than 90 percent rating based on visual acuity in the right eye.
- Claimed conditions
- Blindness, left eye with NLP (Non-Perfused), right eye vision loss due to stroke
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- October 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20065756
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's blindness, finding that it was a reasonably foreseeable complication of his VA heart surgery. The claim for service connection for peripheral artery disease was remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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.