The Board has granted service connection for bilateral retinitis pigmentosa, finding that the Veteran's condition was not noted at entry into service and is presumed to have been sound. The disease did not worsen during service but may have been exacerbated by lack of proper sun protection.
The deciding factor: The Board found clear evidence indicating that the Veteran's retinitis pigmentosa was inherited and pre-existed service, thus applying the presumption of soundness. However, there is conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the condition worsened during service, with a private opinion suggesting it may have been exacerbated by lack of proper sun protection.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Retinitis Pigmentosa
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2024
- Citation
- A24040021
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 A24040021.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral retinitis pigmentosa is rated at 80 percent since October 9, 2015. His asthma remains rated at 30 percent since April 7, 2011.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
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