The Veteran's right eye cataract surgery caused a loss of vision due to retinal detachment, but the Board found that he provided informed consent and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion concluded that the additional disability was not proximately caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar fault, as the Veteran had signed a consent form acknowledging the risks of retinal detachment.
- Claimed conditions
- retinal detachment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21005045
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21005045.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for open angle glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract (eye disability) was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by VA's carelessness or negligence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for open angle glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any in-service toxic exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye blindness is due to service-connected glaucoma and grants SMC based on loss of use of one eye.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.