Keratoconus

RMA definition

"Keratoconus" means a condition characterised by noninflammatory, usually bilateral, protrusion of the cornea.

General information

A cone-like bulge develops, resulting in significant visual impairment.  It is not a common condition and usually becomes evident in young people at puberty or in their late teens.  Blurring and distortion of vision are the first indications.

People with keratoconus require frequent changes of glasses or contact lenses, and may require corneal transplant.  Thus keratoconus is a serious condition and would be documented in medical records.

Diagram of the eye

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 20 AUGUST 2008.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [26138]

26139 there is some evidence that keratoconus may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

26390 the veteran has had keratoconus at some time.

26140 the veteran has had keratoconus of side and site of the body at some time.

26141  the veteran has established the causal connection between the keratoconus and VEA service for myopia or astigmatism.

26142 the veteran had keratoconus of side and site of the body at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

26143   the veteran has established the causal connection between the keratoconus and VEA service for the clinical onset of myopia or astigmatism.

26146  the veteran has established the causal connection between the keratoconus and operational service for the clinical onset of myopia or astigmatism.

or

26147  the veteran has established the causal connection between the keratoconus and eligible service for the clinical onset of myopia or astigmatism.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

26144 the veteran had keratoconus of side and site of the body at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

26145   the veteran has established the causal connection between the keratoconus and VEA service for the clinical worsening of myopia or astigmatism.

26148  the veteran has established the causal connection between the keratoconus and operational service for the clinical worsening of myopia or astigmatism.

or

26149  the veteran has established the causal connection between the keratoconus and eligible service for the clinical worsening of myopia or astigmatism.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [26146]

26150  the keratoconus of side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [26147]

26151  the keratoconus of side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [26148]

26150  the keratoconus of side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

26152 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the keratoconus of side and site of the body is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [26149]

26151  the keratoconus of side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

26153 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the keratoconus of side and site of the body is causally related.