The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and clarification regarding the Veteran's bilateral eye conditions, including their etiology related to toxic exposure during service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that there is no cause-and-effect relationship between chemical exposure and the development of the Veteran's bilateral eye conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral legal blindness, bilateral optic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2023
- Citation
- 23061927
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 23061927.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for partial pneumonectomy and bilateral optic neuropathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for his service-connected bilateral focal chorioretinitis, bilateral optic neuritis, peripheral retinal degeneration, bilateral macular degeneration, and bilateral optic neuropathy, as well as PTSD with unspecified neurocognitive disorder and TBI.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for COPD as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The Board granted service connection for bilateral optic neuropathy.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that bilateral optic neuropathy was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to any service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.
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