The Board denied service connection for an eye disability, specifically blurry vision, as the Veteran's visual complaints are attributed to her service-connected migraine headaches and post-concussive syndrome with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The cataracts were found to be a normal aging condition unrelated to service or any service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran’s nuclear sclerotic cataracts are less likely than not related to active duty, including her in-service motor vehicle accident resulting in TBI. The visual complaints of halos, blurring of vision and focusing problems were found to be more likely due to ocular migraines.
- Claimed conditions
- blurry vision, halos, blurring of vision, focusing problems
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20073438
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 denied service connection for a back condition, neck condition, left hamstrings condition, right hamstrings condition, blurry vision, and vertigo (also claimed as giddiness) because there was no evidence of current disabilities or an in-service injury that caused the conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 19, 2021, for the award of service connection for tinnitus but denied all other claims for service connection and special monthly compensation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right eye ischemic optic neuropathy, which is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The appeal was remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding other eye disorders and toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left eye condition, including primary open angle glaucoma and optic nerve atrophy, to obtain private medical records from Dr. Laquis.
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