The Board denied service connection for a disability of the eyes, other than bilateral photophobia, as there was no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's eye conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA physician opined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disability was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness, citing medical studies for this conclusion.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral photophobia, large optic cups, bilateral refraction error, optic atrophy, open angle glaucoma, vitreous floaters
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2025
- Citation
- 25006516
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 40 percent disability rating for bilateral eye disabilities but denied ratings for abdominal scars, hypertension, and remanded claims related to thrombosis and arthritis.
- Denied
The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for open angle glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract (eye disability) was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by VA's carelessness or negligence.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
- Granted
The Veteran's open angle glaucoma and postoperative with lens replacement intraocular lens cataracts, dry eye syndrome, bilateral eyes are granted a 100 percent rating since February 11, 2022.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.