Glaucoma decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right eye disability, including traumatic cataract and glaucoma as well as postoperative corneal laceration, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings based on the current schedular criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye traumatic glaucoma was incurred in active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is likely related to trauma from in-service boxing, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that diabetes mellitus did not manifest during or within one year of separation from active service and was not caused by active service. Hyperlipidemia is considered a laboratory result rather than a disability. The other conditions were also not found to have manifested during service or be causally related to service.

The Board has found that a remand is required to provide the Veteran with another VA examination for his right eye disability and left eye disability, as well as request relevant medical records. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities as well as glaucoma and cataracts. The Veteran's PTSD was rated in excess of 50%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and has ordered a Travel Board hearing before the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new eye examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral iritis, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and cataracts. The RO should also consider whether separate ratings are warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma was aggravated during his 2003 to 2004 period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeals for reopening claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and glaucoma. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right eye disability is denied as there is no evidence showing VA medical treatment resulted in additional right eye disability due to carelessness or negligence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur a bilateral eye condition, to include POAG, cataracts, presbyopia and epimacular membrane, in service or otherwise attributable thereto. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's glaucoma. The issue of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma is inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a back condition is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma of the right eye has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for scheduling a personal hearing at the RO. The AOJ should take appropriate steps in accordance with the Veteran's request and return the claims file for further consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be service-connected, as there is evidence of elevated blood pressure readings in service and the current disability. The glaucoma claim remains pending.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis with headaches are rated under Diagnostic Code 6522, which considers polyps and nasal obstruction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding high blood pressure. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD have been reopened, but the effective date claim remains on appeal as the Veteran did not provide a valid reason for withdrawing it. Service connection for bilateral glaucoma is granted with an effective date of March 30, 2009.