Glaucoma decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle (secondary to left ankle), as well as glaucoma and cataracts. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right eye injury residuals did not aggravate his service-connected diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and that his current right eye disability manifested by a traumatic cataract and angle recession glaucoma is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The left eye disability has also been determined to be not related to service.

The Veteran's left eye disorder, including glaucoma and cataract, is currently rated at 20 percent for visual impairment. A separate 10 percent evaluation has been granted for the loss of visual field in the left eye.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine whether the Veteran's glaucoma and Stargardt's disease are related to military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has remanded this case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's eye disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his diabetes mellitus, type II and service as well as the relationship between his bilateral cataracts and glaucoma and his diabetes. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma was not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to an in-service explosion. The VA examiner concluded that the current eye disorders, including glaucoma, were not caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection claim for bilateral glaucoma or asthma with allergies, as the conditions were not shown to be related to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of whether the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with a comprehensive set of etiological opinions regarding his eye conditions, including whether they are related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye glaucoma was denied as he failed to report for a required VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service treatment records are needed to determine if his current eye disorders, including optic neuritis and scleritis, were present during active service. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about any SSA benefits he may have received or is currently receiving.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires additional development, including a new examination to address service connection for left eye disorder and whether diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated any diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye glaucoma and legal blindness are causally related to his time in service, granting him service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left arm injury of the upper left extremity, bilateral glaucoma, left ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The appeal was remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's additional disability, including blindness and other ocular conditions, is not deemed to be the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA medical personnel. The Board finds that compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence, including records from his attending physician and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits determination. The VA will also schedule a specialized examination to determine if the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance.