Glaucoma decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as a helpless child of the Veteran on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18 due to his current disability being related to his own employment and not attributable to any service-connected condition or exposure.

The Veteran's glaucoma is rated at 60 percent, PTSD at 70 percent, bilateral pes planus at 10 percent, scar of the right posterior occipital area at 10 percent, hypertension at 10 percent, and gout remains noncompensable. The appeal for increased disability evaluations has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus, but denied service connection for glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and glaucoma, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 25, 2014, for service connection of glaucoma of the right eye was granted. The issue of a higher disability rating for open-angle glaucoma of the bilateral eyes is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his right eye disability was dismissed as a freestanding claim, not subject to adjudication by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence is against a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's eye disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye glaucoma is not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the initial ratings assigned for diabetes mellitus, type II, and glaucoma with cataract removal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including left eye cataract with possible corneal failure and right eye glaucoma, was not incurred or aggravated in service. The opinion of a VA medical expert found no evidence linking these conditions to any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 20 percent for glaucoma with hypertensive retinopathy effective February 2, 2006.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him disabled to the extent that he requires the regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claim for glaucoma is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and a social and industrial survey.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands and wrists. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the opinions provided and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for glaucoma of the right eye and finds that new evidence received is sufficient to reopen the claim. However, the Veteran's current right eye disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, thus the TDIU claim is denied.