The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 23, 2016 for a 20 percent rating for herpes simplex keratitis and residuals is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for herpes simplex keratitis with residuals is also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the earlier effective date as the visual impairment warranting a 20 percent rating did not become factually ascertainable until June 23, 2016. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent is denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes and because pyramiding is not allowed.
- Claimed conditions
- Herpes simplex keratitis, Corneal scarring, Astigmatism, Dry eye syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20069470
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.
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The Board granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2022, for the grant of service connection for acne, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, dry eye syndrome, GERD, and bilateral knee patella alta.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and remanded claims related to eye conditions and TDIU.
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