Glaucoma decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain private and Tricare treatment records related to the Veteran's bilateral knees, glaucoma, and hypertension. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for pigmentary glaucoma is dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU from March 8, 2018 is granted and the claim prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea secondary to allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus have been granted. The claim for glaucoma is remanded due to lack of definitive evidence.,Service connection has been established for bilateral plantar fasciitis as it is considered secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye condition (including bilateral glaucoma and ocular hypertension), bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and metabolic syndrome. The decision also denied service connection for metabolic syndrome due to pyramiding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for open angle glaucoma and blindness of the left eye is granted. The case is also remanded to attempt verification of in-service exposure to chemicals, including tear gas, during basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from November 1979 to April 1980. If confirmed, a new medical opinion will be obtained regarding whether open angle glaucoma and blindness were caused by such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating, service connection claims, and TDIU based on his withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for bilateral glaucoma (claimed as eye strain), and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disorder was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder). The claim of service connection for glaucoma has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) in the National Guard need to be verified, and all relevant medical records must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cataracts and glaucoma due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran's eye conditions are being evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and cataracts as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ophthalmologic disabilities. The VA must obtain an adequate opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's eye disabilities, the etiology of her visual field defects and headaches, and whether she is entitled to a compensable rating prior to February 21, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for iritis of the right eye, chorioretinal scar of the right eye, and angle closure glaucoma, to include bilateral dry eye syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for another VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's vision loss.

Service connection is denied for glaucoma, a right foot condition (claimed as trench foot), a skin condition (claimed as psoriasis), a right hip condition, and left shoulder and low back conditions.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or service-connected disabilities related to the claimed right foot condition, skin condition, right hip condition, left shoulder condition, or low back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right eye disability has prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted his TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's right eye conditions, including glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's eye disorder and its relationship to his service-connected TBI. The VA must obtain additional medical records, conduct a new examination, and provide an opinion on causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an eye disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.