Date amended:
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Statements of Principles

Astigmatism - A lid or limbal mass of the eye Factor

Lid or limbal mass

General information

A lid or limbal mass means a growth involving the eyelid or the limbus - the junction between the cornea and the conjunctiva.  The cornea is the transparent part at the front of the eye, while the conjunctiva is the delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the sclera (the tough white outer coat of the eye which is continuous with the cornea).

Note:  the common degenerative conditions of pinguecula and pterygium do not involve the limbus or the lid.

Diagram of the eye

Benign neoplasms of the eyelid or limbus include:

actinic keratosis - ICD code 702.0

seborrhoeic keratosis – ICD code 702.1

keratoacanthoma – ICD code 238.2

lymphangioma – ICD code 228.1

chalazion – ICD code 373.2

Malignant neoplasms of the eyelid or limbus include:

basal cell carcinoma – ICD code 173.1

squamous cell carcinoma – ICD code 173.1

malignant melanoma of the eyelid – ICD code 172.1

Bowen's disease – ICD code 173.1

MN of the cornea – ICD code190.4

MN of the conjunctiva – ICD code 190.3

Establishing the presence of a lid or limbal mass

A history of a mass of the eyelid or limbus may or may not be documented in the evidence, depending on the precise nature and seriousness of the condition.  If still present, the mass would be noted by the specialist who was managing the person's visual disorder (ophthalmologist, optometrist, optician).

If a person had a lid or limbal mass in the past, its treatment/removal would have been recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, if these records cannot be obtained and there is a reliable history of appropriate medical treatment at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to a lid or limbal mass rather than to some other condition such as a retinal tumour.

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 20 AUGUST 2008.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [26308]

15584 there is some evidence that a lid or limbal mass may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

26402 the veteran has had a lid or limbal mass at some time.

15499 the veteran has had a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body at some time.

15579  a lid or limbal mass means a mass of the eyelid or a mass of the junction between the cornea and the conjunctiva. [Default true]

15500  the veteran has established the causal connection between the lid or limbal mass and VEA service for astigmatism.

15507 the veteran had the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

15501   the veteran has established the causal connection between the lid or limbal mass and VEA service for the clinical onset of astigmatism.

15503  the veteran has established the causal connection between the lid or limbal mass and operational service for the clinical onset of astigmatism.

or

15504  the veteran has established the causal connection between the lid or limbal mass 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.

15508 the veteran had the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

15502   the veteran has established the causal connection between the lid or limbal mass and VEA service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.

15505  the veteran has established the causal connection between the lid or limbal mass and operational service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.

or

15506  the veteran has established the causal connection between the lid or limbal mass and eligible service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [15503]

15509  the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [15504]

15510  the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [15505]

15509  the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.

24442 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [15506]

15510  the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.

24443 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury, a lid or limbal mass of side and site of the body, is causally related.