Glaucoma decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, including uveitis/iritis, glaucoma and left eye blindness are related to his military service. The examiner opined that stress and physical activity during service contributed to recurrent episodes of uveitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed eye disabilities, including glaucoma, cataracts, and dry eyes, are not related to his period of active duty service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability, finding that his current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's eye disorders, including glaucoma and cataracts, are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's glaucoma has been rated at 10 percent for continuous medication required. The most recent medical evidence shows visual acuity of 20/40 or better in both eyes, which does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, prostate cancer, glaucoma, and left knee replacement. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete adjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral glaucoma is found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted a 30 percent rating for his bilateral pes planus from August 31, 2007 to July 23, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI or glaucoma, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and glaucoma were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claims for both conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam or along the DMZ of Korea, and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking any claimed conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the etiology of his left eye glaucoma, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral chronic angle closure glaucoma and cataracts were not caused or aggravated by a disease or injury in active service, including service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of exposure to Agent Orange in the Korean DMZ, and therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine and right knee internal derangement and arthroscopic surgery have been granted a rating in excess of 20 percent. The left knee scar has not met criteria for a compensable evaluation. The open angle glaucoma with toxic keratopathy of both eyes remains at an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders, including pseudophakia, glaucoma, retinal tear, and cataracts, are not causally or etiologically related to his in-service exposure to excessive sunlight. The Board determined that service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they do not meet the criteria of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arterial hypertension is moot due to its grant. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, PTSD, and allergic rhinitis have all been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and cervical muscle strain were granted. The remaining claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, to include glaucoma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a medical opinion.