Glaucoma decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence linking his claimed condition to military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, bilateral primary open angle glaucoma, and bilateral macular drusen as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is not related to his service, including head trauma sustained while boxing in service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the glaucoma was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support due to her congenital glaucoma and blindness prior to turning 18, but also noted her subsequent employment history. The Court ruled that the Board did not adequately address whether her current employment is solely for charitable or sympathetic reasons.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and open angle glaucoma. The RO is instructed to arrange for these examinations at a VA medical facility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, sleep apnea, and hypogonadism. The initial rating claim for PTSD was granted with a retroactive effective date of April 22, 2009.

The Veteran's diagnosed low risk normal tension glaucoma with Adie's tonic pupil of the right eye is found to be incurred during his period of active duty service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for HTN, glaucoma, or compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right eye injury with glaucoma due to VA medical treatment in December 2002. The Veteran's right eye condition is not considered compensable as it does not meet the criteria for loss of use of an extremity or blindness.

The Board found that the Veteran's right eye disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, as it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons and bases in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinus disorder, arthritis of the knees, and glaucoma are all considered in light of the evidence presented.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss, an eye disability, or residuals of prostate cancer as a result of his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye glaucoma required a period of convalescence after surgery on September 18, 2007, and granted a temporary total evaluation for this period. The issue of an increased rating for right eye glaucoma is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his Substantive Appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye disorder, diagnosed as open angle glaucoma and posterior staphyloma with myopic maculopathy in each eye, began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any current stomach disability, angina, respiratory disability, glaucoma, or loss of vision that can be linked to his active military service. The evidence did not show a chronic condition in service or within one year after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 26, 2007 for service connection of bilateral detached retina with iritis right eye and glaucoma left eye. The decision also found that the January 2006 rating decision denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a detached retina of the left eye did not contain CUE.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed open angle glaucoma did not begin in service, is not causally related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.