Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for open angle glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus to service and that diabetes mellitus did not cause or aggravate his glaucoma. The Board also found that the disability is not presumptively related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his limited range of motion and pain. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran has open angle glaucoma associated with diabetes mellitus type II, which requires further examination as visual field testing results are missing from the file.

The Board has remanded the appellant's appeal for further development regarding her claim to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death pension benefits, and for service connection claims. The underlying issues are inextricably intertwined with this recognition.

The Veteran's death was caused by myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, which the VA examiner found less likely than not related to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection of the cause of death must be remanded.,Service connection for leukemia is also being remanded as the VA examiner's opinion did not address whether it was secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for a complete medical opinion addressing all raised theories of entitlement, including potential negligence or carelessness in surgical procedures and decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, a kidney disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and glaucoma due to exposure to herbicide agents while aboard the USS Hollister.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral open angle glaucoma and cataracts was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and that there were no documented incapacitating episodes warranting increased ratings for his eye conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the service connection claim for right knee tendonitis is granted. To this extent only, the appeal is granted.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for diabetic nonproliferative retinopathy and TDIU due to ongoing eye examinations and treatment records being needed. The issues are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a vestibular disability, but the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, bilateral lower extremity disability, and prostate cancer remain remanded due to lack of verification of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's left eye traumatic glaucoma is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from May 13, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating prior to this date and the TDIU claim are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for residuals of right eye corneal scar and service connection for bilateral glaucoma due to incomplete examinations. The AOJ is instructed to attempt scheduling appropriate medical examinations in accordance with VA Adjudication Procedure Manual provisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on record regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed left eye disability, including legal blindness as a result of glaucoma. The Veteran is to be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her diagnosed open-angle glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for blindness, glaucoma, hypertension, TBI, rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, left elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, numbness and stiffness in the right toes, numbness, pain, and tingling in the left leg, joint pain and swelling in the jaw, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral pes planus, left foot bunions, right foot bunions, residuals of a rib fracture, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, tonsillitis, dizzy spells, chronic fatigue disorder, pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), allergy disorder, breathing disorder, sleep apnea, heart disorder manifest by an irregular heartbeat, ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorder manifested by gas and stomach problems, GERD, kidney disorder, residuals of a left chest lipoma, obesity, left arm disorder, and numbness, pain, and stiffness in the fingers.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, Grave's disease, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), history of C-section, and costochondritis. The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board has denied an increased rating for glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis due to the absence of visual impairment requiring at least five treatment visits during a 12-month period. The issue of service connection for defective vision is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and TDIU rating as the evidence does not support that the appellant's pre-existing conditions worsened or were incurred during his ACDUTRA period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's left eye disability. The examiner needs to provide a clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service, or if not, determine whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, headaches, and glaucoma due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as related to his active duty service.