Glaucoma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left eye disability, which includes post-operative residuals from cataracts and glaucoma with pseudophakia, is currently rated at the highest possible evaluation of 30 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there are no incapacitating episodes or other non-visual impairment-based limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims are also being remanded to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen several service connection claims related to herbicide exposure. These claims have been remanded due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for left knee disability, blindness in both eyes, psychiatric disabilities, decreased bone density, low back disability, and foot disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and award letters, pay stubs from Puerto Rico Army National Guard service, verify the exact dates of each period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA), and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature, initial onset dates, etiologies, and relationships between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's right eye glaucoma is granted as secondary to his service-connected left eye disability. The issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for the left eye and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, and neuropathy of the bilateral legs as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding STRs, verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral leg disability, glaucoma, and hypertension.

The Veteran's eye surgery on February 23, 2012 resulted in additional disabilities and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if VA care caused these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for amputation of the right fifth toe, bilateral eye disability (to include glaucoma), peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and status post right nephrectomy. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to service or any other factor.,Service connection was denied because there was no evidence linking the disabilities to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for glaucoma and schizophrenia, paranoid type due to deficiencies in notification and assistance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for glaucoma with cataracts, including his in-service head injury and exposure claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II or peripheral neuropathy, and denied service connection for respiratory condition and eye disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of bilateral eye injuries and bilateral glaucoma is granted. The Board found that the evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right eye condition, including glaucoma, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for service connection of bilateral eye glaucoma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, valvular heart disease, tinnitus, and glaucoma, make it at least as likely as not that he cannot secure or maintain employment due to his conditions. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, and also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claim that his service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his glaucoma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his lumbar spine disability, as he does not have loss of use of one or more lower extremities.