Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to be examined for his claimed psychiatric disabilities, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, glaucoma, headaches, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, and any other conditions that may have arisen as a result of service.

The Board has vacated multiple decisions related to various service connection claims, including those for coronary artery disease, a scar, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, skin rash, and peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to evidence suggesting a worsening of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability since his last VA examination. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and denied increased disability ratings for pigmentary glaucoma from March 5, 2016 to May 21, 2018. The Veteran's current pigmentary glaucoma is rated at 70% since May 22, 2018.,The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s tinnitus to service and denied his claim for service connection. For his pigmentary glaucoma, the Board noted that it required continuous medication but did not cause incapacitating episodes over the previous year.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left eye disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including residuals of stroke, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy. The appellant's spouse died within one week of a scheduled VA examination, which is considered good cause.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left eye injury, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the current diagnoses and an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of any left eye disability, specifically glaucoma, decreased visual acuity, and lay reports of blurriness and diplopia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's vision problems are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral glaucoma and cataracts, and right eye pterygium.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, and a bilateral shoulder disability (including arthritis). The Veteran's glaucoma is not considered to be related to his military service. His bilateral cataracts are also not considered to be related to his military service as they were first noted years after separation from active duty. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing shoulder condition was not aggravated by service and denied service connection for it. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.,The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, a bilateral shoulder disability (including arthritis), and hypertension. The Veteran's glaucoma is not considered to be related to his military service. His bilateral cataracts are also not considered to be related to his military service as they were first noted years after separation from active duty. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing shoulder condition was not aggravated by service and denied service connection for it. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and examinations. The denial of a higher rating for coronary artery disease from December 1, 2011 to October 12, 2015 remains unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral cataracts, glaucoma, left testicle condition, and knee disability. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted as secondary to a service-connected right testicle condition.

Service connection for glaucoma is denied.,An effective date prior to February 22, 2017 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress disorder is denied.,An effective date of August 9, 2015 (but no earlier) for the award of service connection for diabetic retinopathy is granted, subject to regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent (prior to February 15, 2017) and in excess of 40 percent (from February 15, 2017) for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent (prior to February 15, 2017) and in excess of 40 percent (from February 15, 2017) for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,An effective date of August 9, 2015 (but no earlier) for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU rating) is granted, subject to regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His diabetes mellitus, type II was rated at 20 percent throughout the period on appeal. His acute myocardial infarction was rated at 10 percent prior to June 13, 2019, and at 30 percent thereafter. Service connection for an eye disability (glaucoma and cataracts) secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, and service connection for a hearing loss disability were also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions that have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for his dysthymic disorder are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's bilateral POAG and lattice degeneration have been granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to October 9, 2012. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral eye disability (claimed as suspect glaucoma or bilateral vision loss), and finger fungus have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions to be considered disabilities under VA regulations.

The Veteran's additional left eye disability was caused by an ischemic event related to his sickle cell disease, and VA should have informed him of the risks involved in the March 2007 procedure. The Board grants compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's right eye blindness and glaucoma were not caused by VA care, but rather due to his non-compliance with treatment instructions. The Board found the evidence did not meet the requirements of 38 U.S.C. § 1151.