Glaucoma decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for primary open angle glaucoma, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a link between the veteran's glaucoma and his military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and thus no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claim.

The veteran's glaucoma and cataracts are found to be related to mustard gas exposure during service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and glaucoma are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied both claims. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there is no evidence of complications warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left eye glaucoma is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and a low back disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for PTB, were all denied. The denial of the glaucoma claim is based on lack of evidence linking it to service or service-connected conditions. The denial of the low back disability claim is due to insufficient new and material evidence. The PTB rating remains at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft and residuals of cardiovascular accident. The appeals for bilateral glaucoma, left eye macular hole, and bilateral hearing loss are also pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for primary open angle glaucoma, bilateral, and refractive error. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, including pigmentary glaucoma, progressive pigment dispersion syndrome and retinal detachment, is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for open-angle glaucoma, nuclear sclerotic cataracts, and Meibomian gland disease as the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The veteran's COPD is rated at the maximum available rating of 60 percent, and his bilateral glaucoma with visual field loss warrants a 30 percent evaluation. The right leg varicose veins are also rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's glaucoma did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to his service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for glaucoma is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for eye disability, glaucoma. The veteran's current diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma in each eye is considered to have onset during service.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied because his service-connected disability (bilateral glaucoma) did not meet the criteria specified in section 2101(a) of the Veterans Benefits Act, which requires blindness in both eyes with no light perception and loss or use of one lower extremity.

The veteran's current glaucoma, cataracts, hypertension, and heart disease disabilities are linked by competent medical evidence to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye disability, other than glaucoma, did not result from service and his bilateral glaucoma is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's glaucoma is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral mixed astigmatism and presbyopia (refractive error) and retinal hemorrhage of the right eye. The claim for service connection for bilateral glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, and central retinal vein occlusion of the left eye has been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and for a skin disorder on the basis of herbicide exposure. The examiner found no evidence linking the glaucoma to service or to his service-connected diabetes, and there is no evidence of a skin disability related to service.

The veteran's multiple disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or in need of aid and attendance.