Glaucoma decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and glaucoma.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions as there is no evidence showing they began during or are otherwise related to service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for an eye disability other than pterygium, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between current eye conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma and its relationship to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is seeking service connection for glaucoma, which may be related to exposure to herbicides or sewage, but also potentially aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral knee pain is granted as service connected, presumed to be related to Gulf War service.,Glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnea are not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, diabetic nephropathy (claimed as kidney disease), diabetic retinopathy (claimed as vision loss), gallbladder removal, glaucoma, pancreatitis, bitemporal local epilepsy, and lewy body dementia have all been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining complete treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's left eye disability, including advanced glaucoma, pseudophakia, and a retinal detachment, is not considered to be caused by VA treatment. The Board found that the loss of vision in his left eye was due to progressive ocular disease rather than carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to obtain outstanding medical records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's eye disability and peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral glaucoma has required continuous medication and caused visual field defects, warranting a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of left eye injury, iris sphincter tear was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on visual impairment or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (posttraumatic stress disorder) due to a lack of VA medical examinations or opinions. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for release of any relevant medical records from correctional facilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and needs additional examination regarding the onset of bilateral glaucoma during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with visual field testing for diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, open angle glaucoma, and cataracts. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 14, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's vision impairment, including glaucoma and cataracts, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and associated medications.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's right eye disabilities were caused by or made worse by VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as due to herbicide exposure. The claims for glaucoma and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to properly assess the Veteran's right eye conditions, as they may be related to service-connected traumatic brain injury. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.