Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for retinopathy, bilateral glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, a cervical neck disorder, and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The appeal regarding hypertension is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral glaucoma and kidney conditions, finding that they are not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of service connection for low testosterone and entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 20, 2013 for service connection for glaucoma. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of any current eye disability other than service-connected hypertensive retinopathy, including diagnosed glaucoma and cataracts.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for glaucoma, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and kidney disease due to insufficient development of the record. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for gout prior to August 14, 2019 was denied. The issues of service connection for glaucoma and cataracts are remanded, as is the issue of an increased rating for dry eyes with meibomianitis and light sensitivity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current glaucoma is related to service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma associated with diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus type II due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current eye conditions and his in-service boxing career.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral eye disability to include open angle glaucoma. The remaining issues of service connection for right elbow lateral epicondylitis, left hip greater trochanteric bursitis, and a right-hand disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral glaucoma, finding that the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, glaucoma, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's left knee disability and heart condition are being remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they were found to be less likely related to his period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including glaucoma suspect and cataracts, finding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current eye conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability was denied as he does not have a chronic respiratory disability.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 18, 2015 for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of entitlement prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's glaucoma is related to his service, specifically intraocular hypertension diagnosed during active duty. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and incomplete medical reports, including visual field test results. The claim will be reconsidered with these additional documents.

The Veteran's left eye disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a list of equipment used during his cataract surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, as they need further development regarding whether the Veteran's ship came within 12 nautical miles of the Vietnam coast.

The Veteran's glaucoma is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, finding that the evidence did not reach equipoise in support of the claim.