Glaucoma decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye glaucoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability other than glaucoma and bilateral glaucoma are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left eye occlusion and bilateral glaucoma were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claim of service connection for glaucoma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis and gastroenteritis/duodenitis were previously denied, but no new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and glaucoma, finding no evidence of in-service onset or association with service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA eye examination to determine if any of the Veteran's eye disabilities are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and whether they were caused or aggravated by his diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and a back condition, as well as his claims for glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the November 2001 rating decision did not provide new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for glaucoma prior to August 4, 2008, and from 30 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA ophthalmology examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of cataracts and glaucoma of the right eye prior to a decision being made.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for entitlement to monetary assistance for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to insufficient evidence of permanent impairment of vision in both eyes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma preexisted his second period of active duty and was aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected advanced pigmentary glaucoma, which was already rated at that level.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma to his active service, including any in-service hepatitis with yellow jaundice. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no competent evidence of their onset or association with his military service.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of bilateral hearing loss, post tubulovillous adenoma polyp excision, glaucoma, and bronchitis. The claims were dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia (prostate condition), and osteoporosis. Service connection was denied for torus palatinus, periodontal disease, obesity, septal deviation, diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot disorders and depression are granted, while the claim for glaucoma is denied.