Glaucoma decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's retinal arteriosclerosis and glaucoma are not related to his service-connected cataracts, resulting in a denial of secondary service connection.,The RO denied an increased rating for schizophrenia, currently evaluated at 50 percent.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating for bilateral glaucoma, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's eye disabilities, including cataracts and glaucoma, are related to exposure to ionizing radiation in service. The VA is instructed to obtain a medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, effective as of May 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the veteran's current glaucoma is related to his military service. The veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and a VA examination will be conducted.

The Board determined that recoupment of the veteran's separation pay in the amount of $24,039.94 is proper for his awards of disability compensation for bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability involving his hips, left ankle, eyes, or right side of his body that is related to service.,Service connection for an eye disorder, bilateral hip, left ankle, and right testicle disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The veteran's claims are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims for service connection for glaucoma, hepatitis C, and PTSD have been addressed, with the PTSD claim resulting in a grant of a disability rating of 70 percent. The TDIU claim has also been restored.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for post-operative pilonidal cyst residuals, epidermatophytosis of the feet, hearing loss disability, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, a psychophysiological nervous system reaction evidenced by hyperhidrosis, hives, and recurrent headaches, and an eye disorder to include open angle glaucoma. The RO has determined that new and material evidence was not presented for reopening claims for post-operative pilonidal cyst residuals and epidermatophytosis of the feet.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral open-angle glaucoma, finding that his visual acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left eye disability warrants a rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation for total loss of vision in one eye or equivalent impairment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and hypertension due to missing service medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's open angle glaucoma of the left eye warrants a 10 percent disability rating, which is the minimum allowed under VA regulations. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on visual acuity or field loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma has been reopened. He is currently diagnosed with glaucoma and his knee conditions remain at their current ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts and glaucoma, finding that these conditions were not related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an eye examination and consideration of whether referral for an extraschedular rating is warranted.