Glaucoma decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's right eye glaucoma, with pain and intermittent blurriness, is related to his sub-arachnoid hemorrhage in the frontoparietal region. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities likely combine to preclude gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current glaucoma is not related to his military service and denied service connection for this condition. The issue of an eye disability other than glaucoma, including seeing spots and flashes of light, was also addressed but no opinion could be provided due to lack of information on when these symptoms began or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his eye conditions was dismissed as a matter of law due to the resolution of related claims and procedural issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye did not manifest during service or within close proximity to service, and is not related to his service-connected HIV. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma and sleep apnea are not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma of both eyes was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral glaucoma and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a possible causal nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection and granted them, finding new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for ED. The Veteran's ED is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that an effective date earlier than June 25, 2012 for the assignment of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R1 rate is not factually ascertainable.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for glaucoma and retinopathy that are secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions and additional records needed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma had its onset during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral refractive error is not considered a disease or injury for VA purposes. Service connection was granted for glaucoma and cataracts, which are currently present.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for left eye chorioretinitis and TBI, as well as service connection for right eye glaucoma and seizures. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed psychiatric, heart, glaucoma, and hypertension disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA eye examination.