Glaucoma decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 and his diagnosed glaucoma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral end stage glaucoma, to include blindness. The March 2003 decision denying a claim of service connection is final, but reopening was granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for non-service connected pension, finding that he did not meet the criteria due to lack of evidence demonstrating incapacitation prior to January 26, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected chronic simple glaucoma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service records and VA/VA outpatient records, as well as a new examination for hepatitis B.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from September 21, 1999, until February 6, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature, etiology, and date of onset of his glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, gout, and residuals of a left knee injury with a contusion are not supported by the evidence. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the residuals of a left inguinal hernia repair is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the glaucoma claim, and determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to their combined disability rating of 40 percent, which does not exceed the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his right knee and other service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cornea injury with loss of vision and glaucoma with cataracts, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's glaucoma is not related to his service or a head injury in service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board is reopening the claim for service connection for PTSD on the basis of new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and a foot disability are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the appellant's claimed disabilities, as none are on the presumptive list associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA treatment records and the Veteran's testimony regarding his recent VA treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for glaucoma, directional vertigo (secondary to left perforated eardrum), left perforated eardrum, deviated septum, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, glaucoma, lumbar degenerative joint disease, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and chest pain due to a sternum injury as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness. The claims were remanded on the theory of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is at least as likely as not related to military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma is not related to his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral eye injury, claimed as a result of VA outpatient treatment in 2001, was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The Board found that the injury resulted from an unforeseen event.