Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right and left eye disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral eye conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and his eye disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids, but the issues of service connection for bilateral eye disability and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's bilateral open angle glaucoma is rated at 90 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 16, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including right eye epiretinal membrane and chorioretinal scars, glaucoma, and bilateral pseudophakia (cataracts), was granted a 60 percent rating effective November 2, 2018. The decision also addressed the Veteran’s cervical spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for open angle glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataract (claimed as loss of sight in the left eye) has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral pinguecula, dry eye syndrome, and open-angle glaucoma due to new evidence indicating that his conditions have worsened since his last VA examination. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for PTSD are remanded due to incomplete records, inadequate opinions, and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral glaucoma and BPPV due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to in-service diagnoses and exposure, but the VA examiners did not adequately address these points.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis disability is granted a 20% rating, effective September 8, 2014. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Veteran's left elbow fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional loss and pain.,Service connection is granted for pes planus as it began during active service and was aggravated beyond its natural progression.,Service connection is denied for glaucoma as there is no evidence of visual impairment or incapacitating episodes related to the in-service eye trauma.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim for service connection for pulmonary hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further review.,The right corneal scar does not cause any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, thus no increased rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for glaucoma and retro orbital headaches have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 22, 2009. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to his vision impairment and other conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling prior to November 14, 2017 and a 10 percent rating since that date.,The Veteran’s vision problems (macular scar of the right eye, glaucoma, cataracts) are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of glaucoma, as there is insufficient evidence in the record regarding its onset and relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial compensable rating for bilateral glaucoma. The Veteran's OSA did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale, nor did it require a tracheostomy. His glaucoma was found to have no impairment of visual acuity, field, or muscle function and has not required continuous medication.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's right jaw nerve problem, right eye condition, and left knee joint osteoarthritis are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for glaucoma and kidney disease due to inadequate medical opinions provided in May 2020.,Service connection for a sore in the right nostril, skin disorder, and glaucoma have been denied as there is no probative evidence showing these conditions were incurred or related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for open angle glaucoma, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.