Glaucoma decisions — 2014

The Board granted an effective date of December 14, 1991 for the Veteran's entitlement to special monthly pension based on a need for regular aid and attendance due to blindness caused by glaucoma.

The Veteran's glaucoma is presumed to have been present at the time of his second period of active duty service and worsened during this period. The Board finds that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness, thus granting service connection for glaucoma.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the claimed left eye disability, including blindness in the left eye, chronic iridocyclitis, secondary glaucoma, and bilateral posterior synechiae. These conditions are related to an injury during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in July 1994.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, but a VA examination is needed to determine the combined effects of all his conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and glaucoma. The case is being remanded to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records, including documentation of any transfers or temporary duty records related to his claimed Vietnam service.

The Board found that the Veteran's anemia in service was not a primary condition and has resolved. The claim for service connection for anemia is denied. Regarding glaucoma, the pre-existing familial glaucoma condition is more likely than not present during service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, glaucoma, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing the onset of these conditions during or within one year after his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no medical evidence linking any of the claimed disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's hypertension and vision disorders are not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Both the VA examiner and the supplemental DBQ opinion concluded that the Veteran's hypertension was less likely than not caused by or related to his diabetes, and that any vision problems were not caused by or related to his diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left index finger disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma was withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for PTSD, are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for most of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral end stage primary open angle glaucoma with legal blindness did not manifest during service or to a compensable degree within one year thereafter, and is not related to any in-service disease or injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's glaucoma is related to his active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for glaucoma of the right eye is dismissed as service connection has already been granted and there remains no justiciable case or controversy with respect to this claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his low back and hip disabilities are not. The eye disability claim remains unresolved.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency. The CAD claim will also be remanded for a new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's blindness due to open angle glaucoma did not have its clinical onset in active service and is not related to any inservice head injury or other incident. Therefore, service connection for blindness was denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not established for any of the claimed disabilities, including a low back disability, disorders of the bilateral eyes, major depression, and disabilities of the bilateral wrists and hands.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, cataracts, and nuclear sclerosis of the eye is being remanded due to need for additional development including obtaining updated medical records from his ophthalmologist.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inaccurate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's glaucoma and his service.