Glaucoma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The issues include lung disorder, left eye glaucoma, right kidney cancer, and intestinal cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder or glaucoma etiologically related to his active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA eye examination. The TDIU claim also requires the completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran withdrew from appellate consideration the issues on appeal, including the increased rating claim for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, and the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, glaucoma, bilateral gynecomastia, status post subcutaneous mastectomy, left and right knee disorders, left and right shoulder disorders, a cervical spine disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a vision disability related to the Veteran's active duty service or within one year after separation, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the claim of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Parkinson's disease, and this issue is therefore dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma with a non-ocular headache, finding that her current disability is related to her active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it. The Veteran's other claims, including those for increased ratings, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral eye diabetic retinopathy with cataracts, open angle glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome was granted effective April 8, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 16, 2017, and his claim for service connection for eye disability (including glaucoma) were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hearing loss or establish service connection for the claimed eye disability.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for glaucoma of the left eye, claimed as a left eye disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran's assertions regarding his hydroxyurea and antibiotic use.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been rated based on their current manifestations. The glaucoma is now rated at 10% effective September 15, 2017. Bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are each rated at 10%. These ratings are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides, thus denying service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected primary open-angle glaucoma with bilateral cataracts requires medication but does not result in visual impairment, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral glaucoma and depression (claimed as insomnia) due to lack of new and material evidence, but found no current disability related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, left carpal tunnel syndrome, glaucoma with cataract in the right eye and cataract in the left eye, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis for these conditions.