Glaucoma decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for service connection for grand mal epilepsy was granted, but the glaucoma and back disability claims were denied.,The glaucoma claim was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service. The back disability claim was granted based on a history of treatment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine if the veteran meets the schedular requirements or if an extra-schedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The veteran's cataracts and glaucoma have not met the criteria for a compensable rating prior to April 8, 2004. For ratings from April 8, 2004 onwards, he has not been granted the maximum disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of a fractured right metatarsal, and his eye disorder is service-connected. The effective date for this service connection remains to be determined.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis and glaucoma were denied, while the claim for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The veteran is seeking service connection for glaucoma and sleep apnea. The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions in order to decide their relationship with service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's diagnosed uveitis, iritis and glaucoma of the left eye and his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral conjunctivitis with glaucoma, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for post-operative residuals of a laminectomy. The issue regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for left pyeloplasty with hydronephrosis was remanded.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral angle recession glaucoma is currently rated at 20 percent, and the RO has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma of the left eye and granted it, finding that there is a current diagnosis of glaucoma, evidence of trauma during service, and opinions linking the disability to service.

The Board has determined that further development is required for the veteran's claims, including a VA eye examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pterygium and to provide an opinion on whether any glaucoma found is related to in-service herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma and to reopen her claim for a psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current diagnosis of glaucoma to military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral glaucoma renders him unemployable, and the Board grants his appeal for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, periodontal disease, right elbow disability, left hip disability, varicose veins in both lower extremities, toenail fungus, and cluster and tension headaches. The appeals are all dismissed as the evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently demonstrated glaucoma is not shown to be due to any event or incident of his period of active service, nor is it shown to have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, sinus disability due to exposure to Agent Orange, and glaucoma due to exposure to Agent Orange were all denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service. The veteran's current symptoms are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than September 11, 1997 for the award of additional aid and attendance allowance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(r)(2) is legally precluded due to the veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current glaucoma is related to her in-service eye issues.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing at the Indianapolis RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.