The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification of the Veteran's left eye visual acuity measurements and the need for additional opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide sufficient clarity on the significance of the different left eye visual acuity measurements at entrance into service and during a later examination, nor did they address whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service-connected disabilities or if any new disability was incurred in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Amblyopia, Monocular blindness, Exotropia, Chorioretinal scar in the macula, Optic atrophy, Astigmatism with presbyopia, Dry eye syndrome, Left eye 3DD chorioretinal scar nasally
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23045726
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 23045726.
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 Veteran's post-operative cataracts with pseudophakia and vitreous degeneration are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the August 2024 rating decision. The separate rating for dry eye syndrome is also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current eye disabilities are related to service or preexisted with no superimposed injury during service. The VA must obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for moderate chronic bilateral dry eye syndrome and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings, but also noted errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and remanded to obtain these records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including for new VA medical opinions on right wrist and knee conditions, right foot condition, right ankle condition, erectile dysfunction, GERD, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, dry eye syndrome, lumbar spine condition, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
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.