VA Compensation Appeals for Cycloplegia — Everything You Need to Know
Cycloplegia, paralysis of the eye muscles, can have a detrimental effect on every aspect of your life. If your cycloplegia was a result of your military service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should grant you compensation for it. Unfortunately, it is rarely that easy. If VA denied your claim for cycloplegia veterans benefits, a veterans’ disability advocate can help you appeal the denial and recover the benefits you deserve. They can analyze every aspect of your original claim to identify where it went wrong.
Call (888) 373-4722 today for a free consultation!
Causes of Cycloplegia
Cycloplegia occurs when the oculomotor nerve suffers damage that does not allow the eye to focus or change from near to far sight. There are several different causes of cycloplegia. They include:
- Botulism
- Tetanus
- Trauma
- Ocular disease
Getting Cycloplegia Veterans’ Benefits
To obtain benefits for your cycloplegia, you must establish the following three elements:
- You have a valid diagnosis of cycloplegia — In addition to being valid, your diagnosis must also be current. Satisfying this criterion simply requires that you provide a note from your doctor.
- You experienced some sort of traumatic event during your military service — You must have experienced a traumatic event during your service that likely caused your cycloplegia. You can satisfy this criterion if your cycloplegia began during your service.
- There is a link between your cycloplegia and your military service — You must be able to establish a nexus between your diagnosis and the event during your military service. For example, you suffered trauma to the eye during active duty combat training. You received treatment for your eye injury and soon after developed cycloplegia. Because trauma to the eye is a cause of cycloplegia, an advocate can argue that your in-service event caused your condition.
An advocate will examine your medical and service records to look for this nexus. They can also discuss your case with a doctor or other medical expert to establish how the trauma you suffered could be the cause of your cycloplegia.
How VA Rates Your Cycloplegia
The Code of Federal Regulations’ Schedule of Ratings for Eye Conditions contains a listing for cycloplegia, known in the schedule as paralysis of accommodation. An accommodation reflex allows your eye to look at something close to your face and then focus on something far away. If your cycloplegia is the result of neuropathy of the oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III), VA will issue you a rating of 20 percent.
If your paralysis of accommodation is the result of another service-connected medical condition, you may be entitled to compensation for both that condition and your cycloplegia.
In this case, you will receive a combined disability rating.
How a Disability Benefits Advocate Can Help You Obtain Cycloplegia Veterans Benefits
Fighting VA is difficult. But you do not need to handle the case alone. A VA disability advocate can do several things for your case.
Gather the Necessary Evidence
In many cases, the VA denies an initial claim because it lacked the evidence to prove entitlement to benefits. A veterans’ disability advocate can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove you deserve benefits for your paralysis of accommodation.
Help You Determine the Best Lane Through Which to File Your Appeal
VA has begun handling cases in a new, reformed process. The reformed appeals process consists of three different lanes through which veterans can appeal their denial. An advocate can help you determine which lane best suits your situation.
File Your Appeal
A VA disability advocate can also look over your appeal and file it on your behalf to make sure everything is complete and correct.
Represent You During Hearings If Necessary
If you opt for a hearing with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, a VA disability advocate can represent you and ensure the judge sees your case in the best possible light.
Meet All Necessary Deadlines
There are short time limits to file appeals and all other necessary paperwork. An advocate will meet every necessary deadline to protect your right to disability compensation.
To learn more about how a veterans’ disability advocate can help with your case, call (888) 373-4722 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Get Help from a VA Disability Advocate Today. Call (888) 373-4722.
If VA denied your claim for cycloplegia veterans benefits, do not give up hope. You have the right to appeal the denial. This process can be difficult, but you do not need to handle it alone. A VA disability advocate can handle your claim for you so you can focus on your daily life.
Get help from a veterans’ disability advocacy group today by calling (888) 373-4722. The consultation is free!
