Glaucoma decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma suspect was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and denied his claims for service connection. The other issues were also addressed but are not included here.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, specifically allergic conjunctivitis and primary open angle glaucoma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,The claim of new and material evidence to reopen a left knee disability has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional aid and attendance allowance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(r)(2), finding that it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities caused a need for daily personal health care services provided by a licensed person.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that glaucoma was incurred or aggravated in service, and is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus or hypertension.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent evaluation for chronic renal insufficiency effective June 1, 2003. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inability to locate the Veteran's service treatment records from active service. The claims for glaucoma, hammertoes of the right foot, and hammertoes of the left foot will be reconsidered after these records are located.

The Veteran seeks service connection for glaucoma, which he claims was incurred during service and is related to his service-connected persistent post-concussive syndrome. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine if his glaucoma is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran continuously suffered from glaucoma since his separation from service, and thus grants service connection for glaucoma.

The Board found no credible evidence of a right eye injury or disability during service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right eye injury with retinal detachment and angle recession glaucoma.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for glaucoma was denied. The appeal regarding the effective date prior to November 8, 2000, for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the foot is dismissed due to failure to allege specific error in the determination being appealed. There is no evidence of service connection or exposure basis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues currently before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and diabetes are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension did not begin during his active duty for training in Germany, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The glaucoma was also determined to be unrelated to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma of the right eye did not manifest until December 2003 and was not caused or aggravated by an injury to the left eyebrow during active military service. The headaches were also not shown to be caused or aggravated by a laceration injury to the left eyebrow.

The Board has remanded the case for an adequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma or hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability. The decision also addressed his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the eyes, including glaucoma and other eye conditions, must be remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's eye disability, specifically glaucomatocyclitic crisis, was rated at 60 percent prior to September 15, 2009. From that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.