Astigmatism - Corneal scarring Factor
RMA definition
"Corneal scarring" means irreversible damage to the corneal epithelium due to chronic inflammatory diseases of the cornea, interstitial keratitis, corneal infection, trauma or surgery.
Establishing the presence of corneal scarring
The corneal epithelium is the outer layer of the transparent part at the front of the eye.
If present, corneal scarring would be noted by the specialist who was managing the veteran's visual disorder (ophthalmologist, optometrist, optician). The conditions and situations which would produce corneal scarring are quite serious and medical attention would have been required at the time. Seek medical advice if corneal scarring is claimed to have occurred but confirmation is not available.
Diagram of the eye
LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 20 AUGUST 2008.
PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [26306]
23208 there is some evidence that corneal scarring may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
26400 the veteran has had corneal scarring at some time.
15460 the veteran has had corneal scarring of side and site of the body at some time.
15473 the corneal scarring of side and site of the body occurred as a result of an illness or injury which is identifiable.
15461 the veteran has established the causal connection between corneal scarring and VEA service for astigmatism.
15470 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had corneal scarring of side and site of the body at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
15463 the veteran has established the causal connection between the corneal scarring and VEA service for the clinical onset of astigmatism.
15466 the veteran has established the causal connection between corneal scarring and operational service for the clinical onset of astigmatism.
or
15467 the veteran has established the causal connection between corneal scarring and eligible service for the clinical onset of 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.
15479 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had corneal scarring of side and site of the body at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
15465 the veteran has established the causal connection between the corneal scarring and VEA service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.
15468 the veteran has established the causal connection between corneal scarring and operational service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.
or
15469 the veteran has established the causal connection between corneal scarring and eligible service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.
CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [15466]
15474 the identified illness or injury, that caused the corneal scarring of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.
CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [15467]
15478 the identified illness or injury, that caused the corneal scarring of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.
CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [15468]
15474 the identified illness or injury, that caused the corneal scarring of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.
15485 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury, that caused the corneal scarring of side and site of the body, is causally related.
CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [15469]
15478 the identified illness or injury, that caused the corneal scarring of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.
15486 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury, that caused the corneal scarring of side and site of the body, is causally related.