Glaucoma decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, anxiety, an eye disorder, a cold weather injury of the left lower extremity, and a stomach condition. The reasons include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service onset.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral primary open angle glaucoma does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent, as his visual acuity is currently at 20/25 +2 in the right eye and light perception only in the left eye.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for erectile dysfunction, glaucoma/cataracts, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's blindness and skin disorder are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus. The appeals seeking service connection for low back and vision problems (claimed as glaucoma) are dismissed due to the veteran's withdrawal of her appeals at a July 2008 hearing.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for acne, glaucoma, cataracts, ocular hypertension, epistaxis (nosebleeds), and hyperglycemia due to INH therapy during service. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions, including arthritis of the cervical spine and hands/wrists, a right shoulder disorder, an eye disorder (including glaucoma), bilateral hearing loss, bronchiectasis, COPD with asthma, hypertension, stomach ulcers, liver sclerosis, GERD/hiatal hernia, prostate disorder, or any other condition. The veteran's claims are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA specialist examination to determine if the veteran's glaucoma had its onset during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed eye disorder (Plateau Iris Syndrome with Glaucoma) and chronic headaches were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an eye condition. The claim for flat feet was not addressed due to a procedural issue.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including visual impairment, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cataracts, glaucoma, and a bladder growth are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and eye disorders are not related to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for glaucoma of the right eye.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for the veteran's claimed disabilities, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between any current disability and his active service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for disability compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for impairment of the right eye to include glaucoma.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that the veteran's glaucoma (claimed as tunnel vision) is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for open angle glaucoma (claimed as tunnel vision) secondary to traumatic eye injury is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's glaucoma is not directly related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.