Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, left knee condition, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further examination and determination.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma, left knee condition, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder has been reopened and remains denied. The claim for suspect glaucoma is also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, arthritis of legs, degenerative arthritis of knees, glaucoma of the right eye, rash on scrotum, penis, buttocks, shoulders, and arms, and residuals of head injury. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for UTIs, bilateral open-angle glaucoma, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for conjunctivitis prior to August 16, 2017 are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a lumbar spine disability, bilateral eye disability (including glaucoma and cortical cataracts), right ear hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,For hypertension, the Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between service and current hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, vision disability (likely glaucoma), and hypertension. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of a rating in excess of 10 percent for Morton’s neuroma of the left foot, service connection for tinnitus, a sinus disability (to include rhinitis), and an eye disability other than retinopathy or glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to chemicals and stressors during service. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's glaucoma and Parkinson's disease are denied as they did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise unrelated to active service.,The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied as they did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise unrelated to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and his TDIU prior to June 26, 2017 were both denied. The evidence did not show the severity of the Veteran’s condition met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7541.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his skin disability claim was granted. His claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, an eye disability, and hearing loss were denied on the merits. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is remanded. Other issues are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left eye disability and TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the complexity of his condition and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, other than non-specific palpebral conjunctivitis is remanded due to the need for de novo consideration and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and glaucoma due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's conditions are being evaluated based on their relation to his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings related to gout, chronic kidney disease, and primary open angle glaucoma with early onset senile cataract. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 60% for chronic kidney disease prior to January 18, 2018 is partially dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board has remanded cases for service connection of various conditions claimed as secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, kidney disability (secondary to diabetes), and eye condition (glaucoma and cataracts) are not service-connected for accrued purposes.,The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service-connected for accrued purposes. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for a spinal injury, neck condition, bilateral glaucoma, hypertension, low back condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and stroke.,New evidence received since the last final denial supports reopening these claims.