The Board denied service connection for a right eye disorder, including senile cataracts and small recurrent nasal pterygium, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to military service.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA examiners found no relationship between the Veteran's right eye conditions and his military service, including toxic exposure to herbicide agents. The conditions were attributed to age-related factors and other non-service-connected causes.
- Claimed conditions
- senile cataracts, small recurrent nasal pterygium
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2025
- Citation
- 25014411
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,164 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25014411.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 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.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits of this appeal at this time.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's macular degeneration with senile cataracts and dermatochalasis is granted as service connected due to in-service Agent Orange exposure. The claims for left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, and TDIU prior to October 31, 2017 are remanded.
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