The rating for bilateral macular degeneration was reduced from 100% to 0%, effective February 1, 1972, due to fraud. The reduction and discontinuance of benefits were upheld.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on a finding of fraud in the Veteran's part in obtaining his evaluations for his service-connected bilateral macular degeneration.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Macular Degeneration
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- January 13, 2026
- Citation
- 26000473
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 26000473.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) incorrectly concluded that the Veteran does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on her disability conditions. The CEAT review overlooked evidence indicating she may need supervision or protection due to neurological impairments, as well as regular or extensive instruction or supervision due to her eye condition and lumbar spine condition. As such, the Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine if personal care services are required for a minimum of six continuous months.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral macular degeneration was granted, with an effective date of September 26, 2019. The current rating is 70 percent for the period from June 22, 2015 onwards.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, and bilateral macular degeneration due to new evidence and need for further examination.
- Partly granted
The Board is unable to determine the validity of the Veteran's claims for bilateral macular degeneration, detached retinae, retinal tears, or other acquired eye disorder due to conflicting evidence and unanswered questions. The issues are considered 'mixed' as some conditions may be service-connected while others cannot be determined.
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