The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 30 percent for right eye retinal detachment, finding that the Veteran's visual acuity in his left eye is not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right eye blindness does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not reach the level of anatomical loss or vision impairment of 20/200 or less in both eyes with peripheral field of vision to 20 degrees or less in both eyes. The left eye visual acuity is significantly better, thus preventing application of the paired organ rule.
- Claimed conditions
- Right eye retinal detachment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21074972
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 21074972.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral eye disability, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy. The decision is based on medical opinions that attribute the Veteran's current eye disabilities to his service-connected DM and diabetic retinopathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's right eye retinal detachment is granted as service-connected, but a higher disability rating for the detached retina remains denied. A separate 10% rating for his severe corneal scar of the right eye is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability, including as secondary to a traumatic brain injury. The evidence did not support a finding that his current right eye disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right eye retinal detachment and right inguinal hernia as part of his appeal. The VA will gather additional medical records, conduct examinations to assess the severity of these conditions, and determine if they are related to service.
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