Glaucoma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's heart disorder has been rated at 60 percent since July 9, 2008. A TDIU rating is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The issue of service connection for an eye disability other than service-connected hypertensive retinopathy (to include glaucoma and blurred vision) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral cataracts, open angle glaucoma, and increased rating for cervical spine fracture residuals and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of increased rating for glaucoma and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for hypertension, but denied reopening of service connection for a musculoskeletal condition (left ankle), liver condition/cirrhosis, macular degeneration with glaucoma of the right eye, and loss of vision of the left eye. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of prostate cancer has been granted. His claim for service connection of an eye disorder, including glaucoma, is denied. The Board has found the evidence insufficient to determine if prostate cancer is secondary to service-connected anemia and remanded for further clarification.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of glaucoma and also denied his request for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD). The decision on both claims is based on lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected uveitic glaucoma (claimed as right eye surgery) is being remanded due to the submission of recent VA outpatient treatment records. The RO will review these records and consider them before making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, claimed as vision loss, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of glaucoma or related vision loss.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left hip degenerative arthritis is denied due to the lack of evidence showing symptoms that meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions, including PTSD rated at 100 percent. The Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on aid and assistance due to his need for regular aid and attendance because of his service-connected PTSD. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's depression has been granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The appeal is denied for the other issues.

Service connection was denied for glaucoma, DM and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism. The Veteran's glaucoma is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service discharge. Service connection for DM was also denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or within the first post-service year. Hypothyroidism has been rated at 10 percent since 1993, and the Board found that symptoms are consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.,DM was not shown in active service or for many years thereafter; nor was it shown to be manifested to a compensable degree during the first post-service year or to be otherwise related to service. Hypothyroidism has been rated at 10 percent since 1993, and the Board found that symptoms are consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for glaucoma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded because the VA needs to obtain his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, which are not currently in the claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral glaucoma has not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to January 29, 2014 and after April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and insufficient opinions regarding his eye conditions.

The Veteran's claim was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, and service connection for residuals of right eye injury with glaucoma is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues raised by the Veteran's correspondence and evidence indicating he is not currently working due to his service-connected bilateral glaucoma. The AOJ needs to obtain information about any disability benefits the Veteran may be receiving, arrange for a VA examination to assess the impact of his glaucoma on employment, and consider whether TDIU should be referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's glaucoma is granted as service-connected, subject to the laws that govern the payment of monetary benefits.,An initial evaluation of 10 percent for right knee internal derangement status post medial meniscal tear is granted, subject to the laws that govern the payment of monetary benefits.,A non-compensable evaluation for left knee degenerative joint disease is denied.,An initial evaluation of 30 percent prior to November 16, 2017, and 50 percent thereafter, but no higher, for service-connected migraine headaches is granted, subject to the laws that govern the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for glaucoma, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sexual dysfunction, PTSD, migraines, and pancreatitis due to additional development being required.