The Veteran's blindness in the right eye was caused by a known risk of cataract surgery, but the VA did not obtain informed consent for the procedure that resulted in the blindness. The Board found that the VA referral to Cascade Surgery Center and subsequent care were not negligent, and that the Veteran's disability was not reasonably foreseeable.
The deciding factor: The VA referred the Veteran for cataract surgery which had a known risk of causing blindness, but informed consent was not obtained for the procedure resulting in blindness.
- Claimed conditions
- blindness in right eye
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2023
- Citation
- A23018515
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 A23018515.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for blindness in his right eye due to an injury, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and that the pre-existing condition had reached its end-stage.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence added after previous decisions, and a medical opinion is needed regarding whether pre-existing right eye choroiditis was aggravated by service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further development, including a new VA medical examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened.,Service connection for blindness in the right eye is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current condition.
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