Glaucoma decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, including glaucoma, and his service or a service-connected condition.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for bilateral foot disabilities is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for open angle glaucoma is granted, while the appeal for service connection for eye disorders other than open angle glaucoma is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and glaucoma, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence of a compensable degree of hearing loss within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for hypertension, glaucoma, and a back disability as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for dry eye with history of keratoconjunctivitis is remanded due to changes in his condition since the last VA examination and the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pain disability in the right side of body, glaucoma, and loss of use of creative organ are remanded due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board acknowledges that the Veteran served at Camp Lejeune during the specified time period and was exposed to contaminated drinking water. However, none of the disabilities claimed by the Veteran are on the presumptive list for diseases associated with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection may still be established on a direct basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear examination reports and the need for addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma, specifically whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's eye disability, claimed as 'High pressure in eyes (Possible glaucoma)', is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence showing its onset during service or within one year after service, and it is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for GERD is granted because the current disability is at least as likely as not related to service based on a diagnosis of acid reflux symptoms documented in STRs.,The Veteran's ingrown toenail of the left great toe is granted service connection due to evidence showing it was treated during service and persists into the present day.,Service connection for periodontal disease is denied because treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are not considered disabilities for purposes of compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's eye condition, specifically whether it is attributable solely to a congenital defect or if it was aggravated by service. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination for an opinion on these matters.

The Veteran's glaucoma with left eye homonymous hemianopsia requires continuous medication, and the VA examiner found that his condition has worsened since the last examination. The claim is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his diabetes and stroke residuals, result in significant functional impairment that necessitates the need for regular aid and assistance from another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been dismissed.,Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus is not addressed, as service connection for diabetes mellitus has been denied.

The Veteran's eye disability, respiratory conditions, and hypothyroidism are granted service connection. Service connection for lumbar spine, knee, hearing loss, ear disability (claimed as infective otitis externa), leg cramps (to include peripheral neuropathy), hypertension, and anemia is remanded.

Your appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The eye disorder and right leg tumor issues are remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, pes planus, and glaucoma were all denied service connection as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.,While the Veteran had complaints of pain in each of these areas during service, there was no medical evidence linking any current diagnoses to his active duty. The VA examiners found no nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was denied as there is no evidence of chronic residuals from the 1974 Carlinville, Illinois car wreck.,Service connection for thoracolumbar DDD with radiculopathy was denied due to lack of service origin and post-service low back injuries. The Veteran's current condition is unrelated to his military service.,The claim for glaucoma, claimed as increased intraocular pressure, was denied because the evidence does not show a service origin for the condition.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of service origin.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disability, glaucoma, and a left knee disability. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal disability, headaches (claimed as head trauma), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection determinations. The Veteran's eye disabilities and neuropathies are being reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right eye glaucoma, left eye bullous keratopathy, and left eye corneal transplant due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.