Glaucoma decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and the Veteran's claim of CUE in the denial of his claim for residuals of cold injuries of the feet. The effective date for service connection was not changed.

The Veteran's glaucoma was diagnosed within a year of service separation and is considered to have started during active duty, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any eye disorder, as there is no in-service diagnosis or injury related to current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues and the need for a Travel Board hearing. The specific conditions of prostate cancer, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and bilateral glaucoma are still under consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues except the claim of PTSD with depression, which was resolved in his favor. The remaining claims are dismissed as they no longer have jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate with the claims file additional VA treatment records, Christian Hospital treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records. The claims will be returned for preparation of an addendum medical opinion regarding compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma first manifested during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and has persisted since, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma and bilateral detached retinas are secondary to his service-connected sickle cell retinopathy. The chalazion of the left eye is not considered secondary to sickle cell retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected glaucoma.

The Veteran's blindness in the left eye was caused by his pre-existing glaucoma, which was aggravated by a July 2001 VA cataract surgery. The Board finds that compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is warranted due to the aggravation of his preexisting condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his bilateral open-angle glaucoma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right ankle disability, shrapnel injury of the left leg, and bilateral glaucoma have been denied. The Board finds that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's vision problems and glaucoma were not caused by VA medical care in February 2008, as his condition had already deteriorated prior to this visit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, and eye disability (including glaucoma) have been denied as there is no evidence of their onset or etiology in service. The Board finds that the lack of post-service evidence showing symptoms until nearly three decades after discharge from service tends to show these conditions did not have their onset in service or for years thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sickle cell disease, glaucoma of the right eye, avascular necrosis of the right hip, and a renal disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's sickle cell disease preexisted his service and was not aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disorder and skin disorder, as well as his requests for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of either condition related to service or secondary to any other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The claim of service connection for right pes planus has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral eye disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the remaining issues prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have glaucoma and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.