Glaucoma decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's eye condition warranted a 40% rating effective June 16, 2010, as under VA regulations, since it is not factually ascertainable that the date of increase occurred within one year prior to the date the Veteran's claim was received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to lack of notification letters and missing examination records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma had its onset during active duty and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for dry eye syndrome of bilateral lacrimal glands and denied service connection for a hernia disorder. The claim for service connection for glaucoma and cataracts is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new allegations that the Veteran's claimed disabilities may be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities, including his vision disorders and other health conditions, have resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance from another person since September 8, 2016. His income does not exceed the maximum annual pension rate for nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to active military service. The Board also determined that glaucoma was not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for left eye disability remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding records. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus will be evaluated again to determine if it requires insulin, restricted diet, or regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye disabilities, including ocular hypertension, glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to untimely filing of the substantive appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes was not related to her military service and denied all issues of secondary service connection. The Veteran's conditions are considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider due to episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.,His glaucoma with diabetic retinopathy results in corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better, no impairment of muscle function, and remaining concentric visual fields of 33.75 degrees in the left eye and 36.25 degrees in the right eye.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD, glaucoma, hypertension, and prostate condition claims due to worsening symptoms and need for updated medical examinations. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues being granted and others denied. The grant includes the reopening of a claim for glaucoma and an earlier effective date for cardiovascular disease. Other claims remain pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 18 for a disability due to covered birth defects other than spina bifida as he does not have any form or manifestation of spina bifida and his biological mother is not a Vietnam veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and glaucoma, both claimed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange (herbicides), are being remanded due to the need for additional development.