Glaucoma decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as his glaucoma, are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's glaucoma and cataracts are secondary to his service-connected right eye corneal scarring, considering a recent statement from his daughter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral cataracts and glaucoma are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board found that the combat presumption does not apply due to lack of documentation of cataracts during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left eye cataract extraction and right eye cataract with retinopathy and maculopathy, as well as a TDIU issue. The RO has not yet clarified the current rating or ratings assigned for these disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataracts, were not incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for left epididymitis, bilateral cataracts, and glaucoma. New evidence received since December 2010 did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and other conditions due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension, musculoskeletal condition, liver condition/cirrhosis, macular degeneration with glaucoma of the right eye, or loss of vision of the left eye as there was no established service connection.,The Board also denied reopening of service connection for CAD and diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for the issues of higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for dental disorder for VA compensation purposes, bilateral eye disability (including cataracts and normal tension glaucoma), kidney disability (including kidney stones), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The appeals are all denied as not supported by evidence.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for diabetes mellitus, eye disability (glaucoma), depression, left hip disability, left ring finger infection, hemorrhoids, and kidney stones. The new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including heart disability, thyroid disability, dementia, prostate disability, glaucoma, cervical spine disability, and Alzheimer's disease, did not have their onset during active service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise causally related to his military service. Therefore, these claims of service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for glaucoma, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, emphysema, and heart disease.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for service connection for low HDL levels, chronic disorder of the gums, bilateral eye disorder, to include glaucoma; and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for HTN from October 27, 2010. The claim for service connection for focal sensory peripheral neuropathy of the left medial thigh has been granted. However, the Veteran's HTN prior to October 27, 2010 is not compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for a right eye disability and bilateral upper and lower extremity disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the appellant's glaucoma was not incurred or aggravated in service, specifically during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The evidence does not support a finding that the condition preexisted ACDUTRA and worsened beyond its natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is proximately caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have glaucoma and his eye disabilities are less likely than not incurred in service or caused by any in-service injury, event, or illness. The Veteran's cataracts were found to be due to aging and/or steroid use for unrelated medical conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has also determined that the timely filing of substantive appeals on certain issues is not established.

The Veteran's service-connected left eye disability has been rated at 30 percent since January 2004. Effective June 20, 2017, the Veteran is now entitled to a 100 percent rating for his left eye disability due to bilateral blindness.