Glaucoma decisions — 2023

The Board has identified a duty-to-assist error in the July 2022 decision and has ordered that the claims for diabetes mellitus and glaucoma of the right eye as secondary to diabetes mellitus be remanded to obtain VA treatment records from 1965 to 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right foot amputation and peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in loss of use of his right foot. The Board has determined that he is eligible for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's right eye disability, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a new examination. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for the disability prior to April 3, 2018, and entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and eye conditions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 14, 2014 to April 25, 2021. From April 26, 2021, the Veteran's combined rating is at least 60 percent due to his respiratory condition and other service-connected disabilities, which makes TDIU moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the rating for diabetes mellitus and its complications, including whether separate ratings are warranted. The Veteran's service-connected diabetic complications (neuropathy and nephropathy) need to be evaluated based on their earliest onset date, which is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy with pseudophakia of the right eye and cataract of the left eye associated with diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied an increased rating, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on visual impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all related claims.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of Reiter's syndrome, uveitis/iritis of the bilateral eyes, glaucoma, and high blood pressure (hypertension) as secondary to service-connected syphilis due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected glaucoma and optic atrophy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's eye disabilities, specifically pseudophakia, cataract, glaucoma, hypersensitive retinopathy, optic atrophy, and color blindness. The VA is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is moot as he is already receiving a higher level of compensation through SMC (l) than what would be provided by an award of SMC (s).

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hypertension, glaucoma, a back disability, diabetes, and OSA have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities (right and left) and right shoulder disability are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The issues of glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy in upper and lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's need for A&A is related to his service-connected disabilities, other than blindness.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. The case needs further development with additional addendum medical opinions from an ophthalmologist.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected glaucoma is remanded as the AOJ did not provide an eye examination in conjunction with the A&A examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is required regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional VA records being added to the file, and the Veteran did not waive AOJ review of these records. The issue will be returned for further action.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.