The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for moderate chronic bilateral dry eye syndrome and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings, but also noted errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and remanded to obtain these records.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support higher ratings for moderate chronic bilateral dry eye syndrome or a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis due to the lack of documented incapacitating episodes and other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Dry eye syndrome, Left knee degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26016864
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 A26016864.
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 Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current disabilities are not established, and thus his claims for service connection must be denied.
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