The Board has determined that the current examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination with an ophthalmologist to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right eye disorders, including glaucoma. The claims for service connection and increased rating for retained metallic foreign body of the right eye are also remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature.
The deciding factor: The current examinations provided by a non-physician optometrist are deemed inadequate, necessitating a new examination with an ophthalmologist to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right eye disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- glaucoma, low tension, senile cataracts, open angle glaucoma, dry eye, tearing, blepharitis, nasal pingueculae
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23053231
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 23053231.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions including hypoglycemia, sinusitis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle pain, left hip osteoarthritis, left knee sprain, bradycardia, dry eye, hernia, hypercholesterolemia, and bilateral hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC have been remanded due to regulatory changes affecting the rating of eyes on May 13, 2018. The AOJ is instructed to consider both old and new criteria for rating eye disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected open angle glaucoma is granted. The claim for an increased rating for COPD remains denied, as the severity of his condition does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. The Veteran's hypertension is now rated at 10 percent, but no higher.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of the January 2013 denial of service connection for myopic astigmatism with senile cataracts, bilateral eyes was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.
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