Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for aphasia, coronary artery disease, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, left upper extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity are all denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma. The Veteran is seeking service connection and a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma. The Veteran is seeking service connection and a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma prior to February 13, 2020 is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rate of SMC based on loss of use or blindness in one eye having light perception only is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected eye disability has not been evaluated since March 2016, and the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to decide his claim. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his diabetic retinopathy with open angle glaucoma and diabetic cortical cataracts.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, headaches, malaria, and TBI. The Veteran is also seeking to reopen his claim for arthritis of the right shoulder, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and a bladder condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral glaucoma with diabetic retinopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected eye disability, including open angle glaucoma and left eye cataract, is rated at a 60 percent rating prior to April 23, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has denied increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and has remanded the issues of service connection for a left eye condition and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The other issues remain remanded as they require further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current right eye condition was reasonably foreseeable as an ordinary risk of his 2005 VA endarterectomy and if it was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for an eye condition and entitlement to TDIU prior to June 26, 2009 due to the Veteran's spouse opting into a new appeal system.

The Board has found the opinions from the August 2015 VA examiner inadequate and has ordered a new examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of the Veteran's left eye disorder.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, ulcers, and hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, a bilateral lower leg disability (including swelling), and a neck, shoulder, or upper back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder and right eye glaucoma is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for bilateral open angle glaucoma and a separate 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left eye chorioretinal scar, effective May 14, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and diabetic glaucoma due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. Additional development is required including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted a 50 percent disability rating, but not higher.,The Veteran’s bilateral diabetic retinopathy, preoperative cataracts, and glaucoma are remanded for further evaluation as the evidence suggests worsening of his condition since the last VA examination in April 2016.,The Veteran's need for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands, specifically regarding a VA examination for the Veteran's eye disorder and its relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.