Glaucoma decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his bilateral glaucoma, right eye injury residuals, and post-operative right eye cataract residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding visual field testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims of increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and private eye clinic records, as well as a VA examination for his depression claim. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, refractive error, senile cataracts optic neuropathy (claimed as loss of sight, glaucoma and loss of field vision), migraine headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for vertigo was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent for his left eye disability and 10 percent for his right eye disability, finding that neither the old nor new criteria permit an evaluation higher than 30 percent for the left eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical records. The appellant's claim for service connection for glaucoma is currently under review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma and cataracts, high cholesterol, and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for asbestosis, COPD, spurring of cervical and lumbar spine (back disorder), sleep apnea, tonsil disorder, bilateral knee arthritis with total knee replacement, right foot Achilles tendon (right foot disorder), and left foot disorder are addressed below.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral glaucoma, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and proper notice regarding information necessary to substantiate a claim of secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma is causally related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for glaucoma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral retinal vasculitis with glaucoma, shrapnel wounds of the neck, and shrapnel wounds of the right shoulder.,Service connection is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye diplopia and glaucoma are related to service, while his allergy disability is not. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran was diagnosed with glaucoma of the right eye during his ACDUTRA period from October 18, 1998 to October 30, 1998. The Board finds that this condition is related to service and grants service connection for glaucoma of the right eye.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's glaucoma is due to an eye injury sustained during his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left eye injury, including his open-angle glaucoma, is rated at a 10 percent disability level.

The Board found no medical evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's left eye glaucoma and blindness and his military service, as the condition pre-existed service and was not aggravated by it.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as consideration of extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.84a.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection of arthritis of the spine as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma did not pre-exist his second period of active duty and was not aggravated by service. The VA examiner opined that the changes in vision were due to the natural progression of the disease, rather than aggravation during service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches in June 1992. The Veteran's claim of service connection for DM and an eye disorder was remanded by the Board but not fully addressed due to incomplete development.