Glaucoma decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma and erectile dysfunction were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus denying both secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. His bilateral hearing loss, eye disorder, foot disorder, and arm disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's eye disability, including poor vision secondary to diabetic neuropathy, glaucoma, and cataracts, as aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and the appeal is denied as there is no evidence of more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current primary open-angle glaucoma is related to his service, specifically the traumatic eye injuries he sustained in 1971. As a result, the claim for service connection for glaucoma is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and residuals of a shrapnel injury to his left foot. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD had not been adjudicated by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with intermittent radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent effective September 19, 2007. The Veteran also has a separate rating for lumbar spine radiculopathy on the left. Glaucoma remains in appellate status.

The Board found no probative medical nexus evidence linking the Veteran's current left eye glaucoma and defective vision disabilities to his service. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye glaucoma is a result of an injury sustained in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to lack of service connection evidence and potential exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma, if present, did not have its origin during his period of active military service and is not causally related to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with duty to assist and additional development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as failure to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since the April 1992 rating decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hypertension. The new evidence received since the last final denial relates to these conditions and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating them.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pseudoaphakia with bilateral eye open angle glaucoma, including bilateral irregular pupils and bilateral uveitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma did not first manifest during a period of active service and is not considered to have been permanently aggravated by such service. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.