Glaucoma decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying overpayment and copayment amounts, and considering whether the Veteran's income was reduced due to these factors. The claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support higher ratings for diabetes mellitus or its complications. Service connection was also denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's chronic bilateral open angle glaucoma is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right eye disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or aggravated by that condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of glaucoma or retinopathy, and there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims.

The Board granted a TDIU effective from April 7, 2013 to June 19, 2014, based on the Veteran's combined schedular rating of 80 percent due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, claimed as an eye disorder, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral eye disorder, to include glaucoma, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that glaucoma was incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders did not have their onset during service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding service connection and increased ratings for arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right knee, and glaucoma.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for glaucoma, either directly or secondary to diabetes mellitus. The preponderance of the evidence does not show a causal relationship between the Veteran's glaucoma and his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's cataracts are currently evaluated with his service-connected diabetes. He seeks a separate compensable evaluation for the cataracts and also has glaucoma, which is not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from various providers. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right eye disorders, including a corneal scar, traumatic cataract, and traumatic glaucoma, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing a Supplemental SOC.

The Veteran's glaucoma was rated at 70 percent since June 1, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes and eye conditions were not related to his military service, including periods of active duty for training with the Georgia National Guard. The claim was denied.