Glaucoma decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye cataract, compound hyperopic astigmatism, mild senile cataract of the right eye, nongranulomatous anterior uveitis of the left eye, and pigment dispersion glaucoma are not service-connected. The claim for secondary service connection to a pre-existing condition is denied as there is no evidence showing that any of these conditions were caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right eye glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain informed consent forms and medical opinions regarding the causes of his additional disabilities, which include left eye glaucoma, arthritis of the left hip, and revision of total right hip arthroplasty with residual symptoms. The claims will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, but his claims for glaucoma, GERD, and hypertension with dizziness were denied. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of hypertension with dizziness.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II since November 11, 2014. The Veteran's glaucoma is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and glaucoma (secondary to diabetes) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection in all cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of back injury, a neck disorder, gastrointestinal disability, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma was incurred in service, resolving the benefit of doubt in his favor. The claim for a compensable rating for arthrotomy, first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, right foot, with joint debridement for hallux limitus with degenerative joint disease, first MTP joint is remanded due to lack of a statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that he was not exposed to herbicide agents during service and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disorder, glaucoma, blindness, or right knee disability that is related to his service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing addendum opinions on the nature of his glaucoma and skin disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disease and TDIU. The Veteran was found not to have a current disability related to kidney disease, and his combined rating did not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pre-glaucoma has been dismissed as the issue is no longer pending due to a grant of service connection for bilateral nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with glaucoma in September 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for primary open angle glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the glaucoma was aggravated by diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The right eye disability, to include glaucoma, is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request and will not assign a rating or effective date as this is a procedural issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address his eye disorders, mental health conditions, and diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the claims for glaucoma and hypertension to obtain new VA examinations with supporting rationale.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye condition and diabetes mellitus, type II are not related to service exposure or due to DDT exposure in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left eye cataract was not aggravated during service and denied his claims for service connection. The right shoulder disability claim is also denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. For the lung scars, the Veteran does not experience any symptoms.