Glaucoma decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's impaired vision other than glaucoma was not incurred or aggravated in service, but awarded service connection for his glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date of this award is set at January 12, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, status post right nephrectomy, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, gout, and glaucoma.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision problems (cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma), including as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

Service connection for left trigger finger and right trigger finger has been granted with effective dates of October 26, 2006 and August 6, 2007 respectively. Service connection for pes planus was reopened and granted with an effective date of October 26, 2006. Service connection for sleep apnea and left tibial tendon dysfunction has been granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorders are not etiologically related to his in-service injury and do not have a nexus with any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, glaucoma, back disability (scoliosis), foot disability (pes planus), and primary insomnia (depression). The decision also noted that there was no current evidence of a sinus disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and secondary service connection for glaucoma due to diabetes mellitus. The decision summary is that both conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma is not related to his service, including exposure to microwave radiation. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, psychiatric disability, and eye blindness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, glaucoma, retinopathy, and neuropathy have resulted in a combined 100% disability rating. The Board has granted a 60% rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral eye disabilities, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's current eye disabilities are not related to his in-service right eye injury and conjunctivitis.

The Veteran's left eye disability has been evaluated at 10 percent for both central visual acuity and visual field loss, based on the current rating criteria. The Board finds that his claim does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and employment records. The Veteran's eye disorder and left upper extremity disorder will also be examined to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left eye disabilities were denied. The Veteran was previously rated at 20 percent for glaucoma and cataracts of the left eye prior to October 6, 2012, and now has a rating of 60 percent effective October 6, 2012.

The Veteran's hypertension and eye disability were not found to be related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, finding that it is not related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's eye disorder, claimed as glaucoma, was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.,Service connection for recurrent nosebleeds was also denied because there is no evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it otherwise attributable to his period of military service. The Board also found no medical nexus between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his current eye conditions.