Glaucoma decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an ophthalmologic examination. The issues of service connection for glaucoma, increased rating for anxiety disorder with headaches, and increased rating for hypertension are pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's open angle glaucoma did not warrant an increase in his current 20 percent evaluation, as his visual acuity and field loss were stable.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot problems and glaucoma/cataracts (claimed as eye problems) were denied. The Board found that the pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury.,Service connection was also denied for dermatophytosis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's glaucomatocyclitic crisis, both eyes, effective from September 6, 2005. The veteran does not have service-connected cataracts.

The Board found that the veteran's right eye visual acuity is consistent with the natural progression of his glaucoma and not due to VA care, thus denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran is seeking service connection for uveitis, iritis and glaucoma of the left eye and a skin rash. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his service and have denied all of his claims.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral glaucoma with right eye cataract extraction is currently rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use or blindness of the right eye. The initial evaluation for glaucoma remains unchanged.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that hypertension, presbyopia, glaucoma, and atrial fibrillation did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's vision loss was not caused by VA medical care and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to a lack of medical evidence showing a causal relationship.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinea pedis, impotence, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. The decision also found that severance of service connection for hypertension was not proper.

The April 1997 rating decision granting a 100% rating for bilateral glaucoma was found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's claim of entitlement to dependents' educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is denied due to the absence of a permanent total service-connected disability. The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, narcolepsy, hypertension, ocular hypertension (claimed as glaucoma), a left below-the-knee amputation, and peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's leg ulcers secondary to diabetes mellitus claim was withdrawn.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further VA examinations and opinions to clarify the nature and extent of his service-connected conditions, including glaucoma and degenerative joint disease of the feet. The case will be reconsidered after these additional actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board also found no evidence of a secondary relationship between his glaucoma and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for compression fracture of the lumbosacral spine at L5, status post scleral buckles/bilateral retinal detachment/diplopia, glaucoma, and visual impairment have all been denied as not related to active service or service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left eye optic atrophy with macular degeneration and post-operative residuals of a laminectomy. The claim for an increased rating for left pyeloplasty with hydronephrosis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a detailed employment history from the veteran and scheduling him for appropriate VA examination(s) to determine his employability given his non-service-connected disabilities.