The Veteran's claim for bilateral optic atrophy was reopened and granted, with service connection established based on new evidence showing a link between in-service exposure to diesel exhaust and/or low oxygen levels and the current condition.
The deciding factor: New evidence provided by Dr. F. indicated that the Veteran was repeatedly exposed to diesel exhaust and low oxygen levels during his service aboard the U.S.S. Jallao, which raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for bilateral optic atrophy.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral optic atrophy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22015124
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 22015124.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for migraines, bilateral optic atrophy, and cerebral spinal fluid leak due to insufficient examination findings in prior decisions. The Veteran's headaches, eye conditions, and CSF leak need further evaluation.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral optic atrophy is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him bedridden or so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is being remanded for additional development, including affording the Veteran a VA examination to address his bilateral optic atrophy and TDIU claim.
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