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Keratoconus Appeal Granted
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Question
Beeps
I just received a letter from the Board of Veteran's Appeal notifying me that service connection for bilateral keratoconus was granted. I currently am rated at 90%. I served in the Army as a paratrooper 11B-1P from 1996 - 2000. I was diagnosed with Keratoconus in 2013 and contact lenses in both eyes are medically necessary. I had the cornea crosslinking surgery in both eyes in 2015.
The decision noted the following things were positively considered in granting my appeal: 1) My medical records indicated I was exposed to asbestos and chemicals while on deployment in Kosovo (this is in reference to the report of medical history form "Standard Form 93" soldiers complete on exit of service) 2) My medical records noted I had cystic acne which required me to take medications (minocycline) that caused photosensitivity 3) I provided a nexus letter from my optometrist who opined that many of the adverse conditions I was exposed to while on deployment most likely contributed to my condition (exposure to ultra violet rays from the sun, chemicals, and unsanitary conditions 4) I submitted letters from both my parents eye doctors that stated neither of them had the disease.
Two research articles I provided my optometrist were Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy by the Department of Molecular Genetics. Here is a link to another one that is useful: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449900/
I checked the E benefits VA website and although my account now indicates the condition is service connected, it shows a 0% rating. I have read conflicting info where some say the keratoconus rating is based upon your corrective vision after glasses or contacts, so if your vision is 20/20 with glasses or contacts the rating is 0. The medically necessary contact lenses I wear make my vision approximately 20/20, but I still get the halo effect a night with lights and sensitivity to light. I also read that if contacts are medically necessary a minimum of 30% is warranted. Can someone tell me which it is or provide more information?
I also suffer from moderate to severe conjunctivitis which is well documented in my private medical records. I am prescribed various eye drops and get 7 allergy shot injections weekly from an allergist doctor. This of course makes it difficult to wear the medically necessary contacts to see. I have not filed a claim for the conjunctivitis, but did see it a condition that a claim could be filed for. I assume having Keratoconus service connected would increase the odds of the conjunctivitis be granted as service connected. Thoughts?
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