Glaucoma decisions — 2010

The Veteran's current eye disability, including glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, is not related to service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of the colon or eye disability resulting from increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma). The Board finds that service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis, claimed as swollen and painful joints to include the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, back, hips, and knees. The Veteran's joint pain during active duty is considered a sufficient basis for granting this claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, headaches, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, hemorrhoids, digestive disorders, a tumor, facial nerve condition, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, glaucoma, and skin conditions are all granted. The basis of the presumption is exposure to herbicides during active military service.

The Board denied the motion to revise or reverse the May 1998 decision that granted an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of a timely appeal, and concluded there was no CUE.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another, as well as housebound status, is being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Board will attempt to obtain updated VA treatment records and private medical records to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for these benefits.

The Board denied 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) due to lack of factual support.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for primary open angle glaucoma and status-post removal of a right eye cataract. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a skin condition of the feet (including any due to a fungus), and service connection for glaucoma were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on his current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his military service. The claim for glaucoma is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diagnosed residuals from his inservice nose fracture or rhinitis, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, a heart condition, hypertension, glaucoma, and gout are denied as there is no competent medical evidence or credible lay evidence suggesting these disorders were incurred in or are otherwise attributable to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, and hypertension as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and glaucoma, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for residuals of acute myocardial infarction with TIAs is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he did not wish to pursue the issues of service connection for malaria, Leishmaniasis, PTSD, residuals of asbestos exposure, glaucoma, special monthly pension (SMP), and a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal was denied on both issues of service connection and increased rating for hemorrhoids. The denial is based on the merits without any indication of a presumption, secondary condition, aggravation, or new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently shown glaucoma and anxiety disorder are not related to his active military service. The low back disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma and an acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete evidence and need for expert opinion.

The Board has ordered that the case be remanded for clarification of a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service eye trauma contributed to his current left eye disabilities.