The Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disabilities, including visual field loss with ocular hypertension and bilateral optic disc hypoplasia, are currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the average concentric contraction of her visual fields is within the range that warrants a 30 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria, including due to their impact on employment and hospitalization.
- Claimed conditions
- Visual Field Loss, Ocular Hypertension, Bilateral Optic Disc Hypoplasia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22048529
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 22048529.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's ocular hypertension with glaucoma was granted a 30% rating as of January 28, 2020. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.
- Denied
The Veteran's visual field loss is rated at 10 percent for the period prior to January 14, 2011 and at 70 percent thereafter. The decision denies a higher rating.
- Denied
For the period from July 20, 2011, the Veteran's ocular hypertension has been manifested by corrected distance vision in the right eye of at least 20/40 and in the left eye of at least 20/40, with required continuous medication but without incapacitating episodes or abnormalities in muscle function.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current eye disability related to military service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's color blindness is considered a congenital defect and precluded by law from being service connected.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.