Glaucoma decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty service and that the conditions were not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy with glaucoma and cataracts, and other conditions. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma and bilateral cataracts, finding that these conditions were not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for facial scars prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma, a congenital disease, clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service. The VA examiner determined that the condition was juvenile glaucoma which had already been present for years before the Veteran entered military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address his kidney disability and glaucoma claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for stomach cancer, gout, liver cancer, glaucoma, chronic nephritis, and bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his blindness due to eye disabilities and anxiety disorder, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for chronic maxillary sinusitis, sarcoidosis, and eye disorders have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected glaucoma and cataracts with conjunctivitis. The propriety of the severance of service connection for defective vision will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a dental disability has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, private treatment records, and an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of his eye disability and headaches.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating for his service-connected glaucoma and TDIU, with the latter being based on his service-connected glaucoma. Service connection was not established for hypertension, GERD, or rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability and colon cancer, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss disability but denied for glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disabilities, including bilateral glaucoma and phthisis bulbi, were not caused by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and the need for further interpretation of visual field test results.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other form of presumed exposure. The diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and right foot disorder (hallux valgus) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 12, 2006 for his TDIU and DEA benefits due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues include a rating claim for right ear hearing loss disability, service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral glaucoma, and bilateral cataracts, as well as TDIU.