Glaucoma decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, eye disorder (glaucoma), and diabetes based on the claimed link to lumbar spondylosis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral glaucoma, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD, hypertension, and LLE radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye condition and glaucoma with reduced vision are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's disabilities are not considered to be an employment handicap, and he has been able to maintain stable employment since 2006. Therefore, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation services.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining outstanding private and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was not addressed in this decision.,The Veteran's service-connected scar, right lower leg, residuals of an in-service shrapnel wound, is rated at 10 percent and the Veteran disagrees with this rating.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (IHD), finding no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service. The claim for glaucoma was also denied, with the secondary service connection issue being found without legal merit.,Service connection could not be granted as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no presumption of exposure to herbicide agents applicable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cornea dystrophy has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected eczematous dermatitis and associated glaucoma disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma with blindness, specifically addressing the significance of in-service diagnoses and treatment for pterygium during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sickle cell disease, right eye glaucoma, right hip avascular necrosis, and renal disorder. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal in all matters currently on appeal, including the reopening of a claim for right foot hammertoes and several other issues. As such, there are no remaining claims for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active duty. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and visual impairment have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and right eye disability, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability resulted in varying degrees of visual acuity and field loss, which were rated under the appropriate VA rating criteria. The Veteran was denied an increased rating for his eyes as his conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for higher ratings. For hearing loss, service connection was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the legal requirements.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been denied. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical examination to determine if any identified disability, including glaucoma, is an organic disease of the nervous system and whether it had its onset during service or is attributable to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and information from the Social Security Administration.