Glaucoma decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right eye vision loss is not a proximate result of VA hospital care or medical treatment, and no fault in the furnishing of such care by VA is shown. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for neurovascular glaucoma of the right eye, status post Baerveldt glaucoma implant, is denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for glaucoma. The veteran's glaucoma is being evaluated further, including through an examination.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and glaucoma of the right eye, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's glaucoma is related to their service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA clinical records from Tampa, Florida, and conducting additional medical examinations if necessary. The veteran is advised to provide any relevant evidence he may have.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of service connection for photophobia, which was not addressed by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors have been corroborated by independent evidence. The other claims related to glaucoma, migraine headaches, degenerative changes of the right knee, and abrasions on the right knee are dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal.

The veteran's medical condition, due to multiple service-connected disabilities, resulted in him being unable to walk without assistance and requiring a wheelchair. The Board finds that his loss of use of both feet meets the criteria for SMC based on accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including frostbite of the hands and feet, hypertension, a right shoulder disability, a back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, pes planus, residuals of a foot fracture, tailbone disability, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma. The decision was based on the conclusion that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for frostbite of the hands and feet, and that these conditions were not incurred in service or due to any other service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after service and no link to herbicide exposure.

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The VA determined that the appellant's glaucoma disability does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits as his left eye blindness is not shown to be due to the 1976 VA surgery, but rather secondary to noncompliance with prescribed medication.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current glaucoma to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, leg swelling secondary to diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The veteran's medical conditions do not meet the regulatory criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 70 percent, effective May 3, 2001. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and circulatory disorders, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure or a link between any condition and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cataract/glaucoma of the left eye does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of blindness or serious cosmetic defect in her non-service-connected right eye.