The Board has granted service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome but denied service connection for bilateral asteroid hyalosis, bilateral cataracts, and left eye pterygium. The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is linked to his active duty service, while the other conditions are not.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s bilateral asteroid hyalosis, bilateral cataracts, and left eye pterygium were less likely caused by infrared light exposure during service due to lack of evidence linking such exposure to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral dry eye syndrome, bilateral asteroid hyalosis, bilateral cataracts, left eye pterygium
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26002824
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 A26002824.
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: Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome, finding that there is not a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service. The evidence does not support a nexus to in-service exposures.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated at a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The disability requires treatment with artificial tears and meets the criteria for a bilateral disorder of the lacrimal apparatus under Diagnostic Code 6099-6025.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate eye examination and new evidence received since the last decision.
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