The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for bilateral keratoconus from March 16, 2017 to June 18, 2019. The appeal is remanded for further action on the increased ratings and TDIU issues.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's visual acuity improved after corneal cross-linking surgery but remained below 20/40 in both eyes, warranting a 40 percent rating under DC 6066.
- Claimed conditions
- Keratoconus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21002295
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 21002295.
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 Veteran's right eye conjunctivitis with keratoconus status post corneal transplant from February 1, 2018 is rated at 30 percent and no higher due to the severity of his visual acuity impairment.
- Granted
The Veteran's keratoconus is granted a 10 percent rating effective March 4, 2016. His bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's Fuchs dystrophy and keratoconus have been rated based on their impact on visual acuity. The initial rating of 10% was granted in October 2009, followed by a subsequent increase to 30% effective October 18, 2018. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.
- Denied
The Veteran's vision loss is not severe enough to qualify for special monthly compensation due to the surgeries he underwent, which have improved his visual acuity.
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