The Veteran's eye disability, including corneal and nuclear sclerotic changes (cataracts), is not distinct from his already service-connected dry eye syndrome with photophobia. His symptoms are attributable to known diagnoses and are not manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to Persian Gulf service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's eye disability, including corneal changes and nuclear sclerotic cataracts, is considered part of his already service-connected dry eye syndrome with photophobia.
- Claimed conditions
- corneal changes, nuclear sclerotic cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2022
- Citation
- 22027295
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 22027295.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for nuclear sclerotic cataracts and pseudophakia, which are secondary to his service-connected diabetes and hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for eye disorders, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current eye conditions and active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, finding that none of his current eye conditions are related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral foot disability, to include on an extraschedular basis due to outstanding VA records and need for additional medical opinions.
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