Glaucoma decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's NODs to the April 2012 rating decision regarding service connection for glaucoma, enlarged prostate, and low testosterone are valid. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's eye disorders, specifically bilateral cataracts and glaucoma suspect, are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and assigned an initial 70 percent rating, effective August 14, 2011. The Veteran's other claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for glaucoma of the left eye with cataract. The Board has identified clear and unmistakable error in a prior rating decision, which must be corrected by the AMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 17, 2009 and May 7, 2009 do not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 due to lack of emergency treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include service connection claims and rating disputes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left eye disability, including glaucoma, attributable to his military service and specifically the basketball-related injury he sustained during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disorder, sleep apnea, and hearing loss in the right ear were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking any current diagnoses to military service.

The Veteran's right eye glaucoma has resulted in blindness with no light perception, but not enough to warrant a higher rating as the condition does not meet criteria for more severe classifications.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not related to any other service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that there is a preponderance of evidence against the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma of the left eye and loss of vision of the left eye, to include anisometropia. The current evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board dismissed an issue seeking an increased rating for a left knee disability, denied entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected right ear hearing loss, and denied entitlement to earlier effective date for the November 1, 2005 assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's motion alleging CUE in the July 2009 Board decision was dismissed as the Court affirmed the Board's decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral glaucoma was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, including secondary to his service-connected persistent post-concussive syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for a more detailed opinion regarding the relationship between his glaucoma and his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected major depressive disorder and right eye disability, as well as consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, residuals of frostbite, and glaucoma. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for glaucoma, which he claims arose during his active duty and was aggravated by his deployment overseas. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral glaucoma and left eye cataract with resulting visual loss were not shown to be related to his military service, including a scalp laceration in April 1946. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma and finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of glaucoma is related to his military service. The issue of numbness in the bilateral lower extremities remains pending as it was not fully addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma did not have its onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange and/or diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral glaucoma is denied.