The Board granted an effective date of October 11, 2007 for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on blindness in both eyes having only light perception. The Veteran's eligibility for SMC became factually ascertainable on that date.
The deciding factor: The earliest evidence indicating a visual field reduced to 5 degree concentric contraction in both eyes was from October 2007, meeting the criteria for SMC as of that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Retinitis Pigmentosa, Blindness in both eyes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21012788
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 21012788.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for blindness in both eyes, to include as secondary to PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the VA examinations prior to the decision. The Board requires further development to determine the severity of his eye disabilities and their relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for effective dates and service connection due to issues related to Usher Syndrome, hearing impairment with vertigo, retinitis pigmentosa, and SMC based on loss of use of vision and hearing. The Veteran is seeking clarification on whether a separate rating for Usher Syndrome should be granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing (SAH) and special home adaptation (SHA) grants due to lack of service-connected disabilities that meet the eligibility criteria.
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