Glaucoma decisions — 2014

The Veteran's glaucoma is not related to his active military service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran has arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine that had its onset during active military service, but there is no evidence of aggravation from a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's tension and vascular headaches are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The Board found no chronic headache disability at any point during the appeal period and therefore could not establish a link to his in-service injury. For glaucoma of the right eye, the Veteran's claim is pending as it requires additional development due to lack of an opinion regarding its onset date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left eye disabilities, including glaucoma, myopia, astigmatism and cataracts, are not related to military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for glaucoma of both eyes should be remanded due to a lack of service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye disorder, which may be related to his service-connected HIV or other in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is service-connected, and she now has a service connection for Stargardt's disease other than glaucoma. The case will be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding her eye disability.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of cold injuries of the hands and feet (claimed as frostbite) is denied because there are no separate and distinct manifestations not already associated with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a sinus condition, to include left-frontal sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that resulted in current symptoms. The Veteran's currently-diagnosed allergic rhinitis is attributed to environmental allergens rather than military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for pancreatitis and glaucoma, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records from OPM and SSA, as well as for further development of the claims.