Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral eye cataracts and macular degeneration, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral eye glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of complete service records and potential herbicide exposure at the Savannah River Plant. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are resolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability, including glaucoma. The evidence does not show any left eye disease or injury during service and no chronic disease manifested within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's eye disorders, which were diagnosed during service and may be related to exposure to herbicide agents. The examiner is asked to provide additional rationale in support of their opinions.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, coronary artery disease secondary to hypertension, and kidney disease secondary to hypertension.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic eye disorder manifested by vision loss of the left eye, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, hypertension on secondary basis to plantar fasciitis, and bilateral eye disorder (including cataracts, glaucoma, nonexudative macular degeneration, dry eyes, and loss of peripheral vision).,There is no direct evidence linking the current disabilities to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral retinopathy and cataracts resulted in visual acuity of 20/70 left eye, 20/40 right eye. The hyphema, bilateral retinopathy, and bilateral cataracts from May 28, 2015 to May 28, 2016 resulted in incapacitating episodes of total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during a 12-month period. The left neovascular glaucoma required continued medication and did not result in visual impairment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision is made.

The Veteran's service-connected primary open angle glaucoma required the aid and attendance of another person from May 21, 2014. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 12, 2014 was denied as he had not been rendered unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for DDD of the lumbar spine was also denied. The current effective date is October 7, 2011.

The claim for service connection for an eye disability, including glaucoma, has been reopened. However, the case is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's eye disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying stressor information.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral visual field loss as secondary to the Veteran's already-service connected glaucoma, and assigned a minimum rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder other than dry eyes, finding that the evidence did not reach equipoise as to whether any of these conditions had its onset during or is otherwise etiologically related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and glaucoma have been denied.,The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or medical opinions as required by law.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral open angle glaucoma with dry eyes as the evidence did not show visual impairment or incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremity as they are not related to service.,There is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand or Vietnam that would support presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, finding that his present disabilities did not have their onset during active service and are not otherwise related to any incident of active service.

The Veteran's orthostatic dizziness is granted as service-connected due to its being caused by medication for hypertension.,There is no evidence of glaucoma or presbyopia during the appeal period, and thus these conditions are not service-connected.