Glaucoma decisions — 2007

The veteran seeks compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for complications from surgery to his left eye, which he claims were caused by improper and/or negligent treatment by VA medical personnel.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of his reserve service and a medical examination. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and concluded that his hypertension, glaucoma, conditions leading to two strokes, and any potential acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to service. As such, these claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, glaucoma, back disorder, and kidney disorder, all of which were found to be not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the September 2001 rating decision, which denied service connection for glaucoma, is not new and material. Therefore, the claim may not be reopened.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for glaucoma, open angle, bilateral, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy are all denied. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable under VA regulations. Service connection for glaucoma, open angle, bilateral was not established due to lack of a current diagnosis or causal relationship to the service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy was also not established because there is no competent evidence demonstrating its secondary nature to the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying circumstances of any eye evaluations or mental health treatment during service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability was evaluated at various levels of severity prior to September 1, 2005. The Board found that the current evaluation did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left eye disability that developed and worsened as a result of his service-connected right eye disability. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion on the relationship between the veteran's left eye disorders and his service-connected right eye disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for cervical spondylosis and glaucoma, as well as his request for a temporary total rating based on convalescence. The claim for individual unemployability was deferred.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a heart condition with hypertension, memory loss with speech problems, and glaucoma. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's traumatic glaucoma of the left eye resulted in an average concentric contraction of visual field to no less than 26.75 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral eye disability, including glaucoma, was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability and bilateral hip disorder. The decision also addressed a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including low back disability and left shoulder disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left eye disorder, including presbyopia and suspected glaucoma, is not related to her military service. The claim for service connection for a left eye disability is denied.

The veteran's initial ratings for hypothyroidism and herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found no current diagnosis of glaucoma and denied the veteran's claim for service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board has determined that the veteran's eye disorder, including glaucoma, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment assistance is being remanded due to the need for further examination of his service-connected bilateral eye disability. The VA examiner's assessment regarding malingering needs clarification, and a current ophthalmologic evaluation is required.