BVA Case 22019634: Eye
BVAReal Board of Veterans' Appeals decision · April 2, 2022 · SHEREEN M. MARCUS
Conditions Claimed
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Issues on Appeal
EyeHypertension
Why It Was Decided This Way
The Board notes there has been substantial compliance with its October 2021 directives, to the extent an adequate medical nexus opinion has been obtained and considering that the Veteran was asked to provide pertinent information for obtaining any outstanding private treatment records.
The Veteran is entitled to the benefit of the doubt when the evidence is in approximate balance or "nearly equal," and does not require that the evidence be in exact equipoise.
There is also no other reasonably raised theory of nexus to service.
However, this does not otherwise contain any medical nexus opinion.
There are multiple VA medical nexus opinions of record.
Of particular significance, a May 2021 VA examiner provided a positive nexus opinion finding the Veteran's hypertension "at least as likely as not" to have its onset during service or within a year of service based solely on the Veteran's lay statement that he was treated for the condition in service.
A new DBQ medical nexus opinion was obtained in January 2022.
However, at least to the extent that the Veteran's statement (that he was treated for a high blood pressure in service) seeks to establish a medical nexus, the Board also notes that the Veteran is not competent to furnish a medical etiology opinion, as such requires complex medical knowledge and training.
Authorities Cited
Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)
Denial Type
No Nexus
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