The Board has denied service connection for refractive errors of the eyes and bilateral cataracts, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty. The case is remanded for further examination regarding bilateral pedal edema and right hip trochanteric bursitis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions were based on incomplete records and did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements of continuity of symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Refractive error of the right eye, Refractive error of the left eye, Bilateral cataracts, Bilateral pedal edema, Right hip trochanteric bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20074321
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for refractive error of the left eye, finding that it is not a disease or injury within the meaning of VA regulations.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with bilateral cataracts and total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not support an increase in the Veteran's ratings or entitlement to TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy, to further investigate potential exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's service in Korea.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and maxillary and frontal sinusitis, while granting a 30 percent rating for hiatal hernia.
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