The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 12, 2017 for the award of service connection for dry eye syndrome. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome is remanded.
The deciding factor: The earliest allowable effective date was determined to be December 12, 2017 due to the first diagnosis of dry eye syndrome during a VA examination on that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Dry Eye Syndrome, Diabetic Retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26038743
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 A26038743.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent effective April 13, 2023.,The Veteran's other trauma and stressor related disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 13, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is found to be eligible for enrollment in the PCAFC program due to his severe and complex medical conditions, which require personal care services.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected dry eye syndrome is manifested by symptoms comparable to a bilateral disorder of the lacrimal apparatus, and his claim for an initial evaluation of 20 percent has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and neurogenic bladder condition, require regular aid and attendance. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted. As the issue of housebound status is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance, special monthly compensation based on housebound status is dismissed.
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