The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, including congenital right and left eye conditions, were denied service connection as they are considered congenital defects not subject to superimposed disease or injury. The non-congenital right eye disability (exophthalmos) and the non-congenital left eye disability (nuclear sclerotic cataract with reduced visual acuity/blurred vision) were also denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities are considered congenital defects not subject to superimposed disease or injury, and the non-congenital right eye disability (exophthalmos) and left eye disability (nuclear sclerotic cataract with reduced visual acuity/blurred vision) were not present during service or until many years thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Congenital right eye disabilities diagnosed as primary open angle glaucoma with loss of vision, corneal scar with neovascularization, proptosis, band keratopathy, and ocular hypertension, Congenital left eye disability diagnosed as ocular hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22034997
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 22034997.
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).
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