Glaucoma decisions — 2013

The Veteran seeks service connection for glaucoma, which he asserts was present during his active duty service. The Board finds that further development of the record is necessary to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current glaucoma and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected ischemic heart disease and glaucoma were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's glaucoma is related to his military service and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected renal calculi.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for various disabilities, including those related to Agent Orange exposure, will be processed after the hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's eye disabilities, including right superior quadrantanopsia, refractive error, pinquecula, cataract, dry eye, suspect glaucoma, and light sensitivity, did not have their onset in service or were not caused by disease or injury incurred during active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for pyorrhea of the gums, schizophrenia, glaucoma, left eye blindness, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and amputation, middle finger, left hand. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell disease has been reopened and is granted. He is also awarded secondary service connection for multiple conditions as secondary to his sickle cell disease, including right shoulder/arm disorder, hemorrhoids (blood in stool), fungal dermatitis, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, heart condition, eye disorders (glaucoma and blindness in the left eye), muscle and joint pain, erectile dysfunction, and alopecia. His rating for vertigo remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's eye disorders, including open-angle glaucoma, nuclear cataracts, and arcus senilis, are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an eye disability including glaucoma, and a psychiatric disability including PTSD have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatochalasis, blepharoptosis, and glaucoma are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Decision Review Officer at the local VA office. The claims include reopening of a glaucoma claim, service connection for left eye trauma, and rating adjustments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his glaucoma is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, sinusitis, sleep apnea, diverticulitis, and chloracne were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the disabilities listed in his claims, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for another VA medical opinion to address whether any diagnosed eye condition (other than cataracts and diabetic retinopathy) was caused or aggravated by his diabetes or peripheral neuropathy, including medication taken therefor.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's diagnosed eye disorders developed in or were caused by service, including after consideration of the development and treatment for a right eye pterygium in service and the claims of exposure to environmental elements, such as cold and wind, while working outdoors as an aircraft mechanic.