Glaucoma decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and eye disorders, including blurred vision, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU prior to January 8, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic glaucoma of the right eye, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's eye disability, including bilateral glaucoma and cataracts/intraocular lens, was found to not warrant increased ratings at any time during the appeal period. A separate rating for blindness in one eye due to visual field loss is granted as of September 16, 2020.

The Veteran's claims of increased evaluation for glaucoma and earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are remanded due to incomplete medical records. The AOJ must obtain a Goldmann chart from the April 2012 VA examination, request an interpretation of visual field testing results, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a vision disorder, including open angle glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is not related to military service.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and late effects of patella fracture are not service-connected.,His cataracts and glaucoma (vision problems) were not attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether any additional left eye disability was a reasonably foreseeable outcome of the treatment received, including due to the 2012 left eye surgery.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, glaucoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), vasectomy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being remanded to obtain additional records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left eye surgery, finding that his current eye conditions are not related to his in-service trauma and are more likely due to age-related factors.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic open angle glaucoma with old branch vein occlusion, retinal ischemia, astigmatism, and presbyopia from December 3, 2013 is being remanded due to the undeliverable supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the Veteran's right eye conditions, including glaucoma, branch retinal artery or vein occlusion, and cholesterol plaques resulting in a visual field defect (quadrantanopia), were not proximately caused by the June 2005 carotid endarterectomy surgery performed at VA. The Board concluded that while there was an association between the surgery and some of the conditions, it did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of records, particularly those related to VA treatment and examination for glaucoma.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issues related to left eye glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts (claimed as lost sight) due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with insomnia is found to have begun during service and granted service connection.,There is no evidence of recurrent corneal erosions or corneal opacities in service, and the claim for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's glaucoma and his service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. The examiner must provide a new opinion on whether the glaucoma is related or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an increased rating to 50 percent, while his right eye blindness is denied any increase beyond the current 30 percent. The claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a left eye disability are both denied. Tinnitus remains at its current 10 percent rating. Erectile dysfunction continues to be rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current glaucoma disability is at least as likely as not incurred in and related to his active service, specifically eye injuries sustained during his boxing career. As a result, the claim for service connection for glaucoma is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple retinal tears, status post laser treatment, scleral buckle removal, vitrectomy with glaucoma, to include migraine headaches is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2014 VA examination and the need for a supplemental opinion from a retinal specialist with trauma experience.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, eye disability, leg disability, hepatitis C, and ulcers as they are not related to service.,Hypertension was identified prior to the Veteran's period of service and is presumed to have preexisted service.