Glaucoma decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of a private medical opinion and the Glaucoma Research Foundation article in determining the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral open angle glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate and ordered a remand to obtain new, adequate opinions regarding the Veteran's eye disability. The issue is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral eye disability, headaches, psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, low back disability, knee and hip disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current eye disability is more likely due to aging and other risk factors.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, heart disease, cataracts secondary to diabetes, glaucoma secondary to diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as not related to service or due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted increased ratings, while erectile dysfunction and hypertension remain denied.,A separate initial disability rating of 10 percent has been granted for right ankle instability.

The appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for chronic open angle glaucoma and nuclear sclerotic cataracts is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral wrist disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a spine disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for RBD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, kidney disease, and a bilateral eye disability due to inadequate VA opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral hip disability and cervical spine disability have been granted in an August 2020 rating decision. These issues are therefore dismissed as moot.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral glaucoma, but the claim remains pending due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety with depression has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral leg orthopedic disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of the shoulders, arthritis of the neck, sinus disorder, right eye disorder (glaucoma and cataract), erectile dysfunction, and heart disorder have been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and benefits have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for vision problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and refractive error of the eyes. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 50 percent level prior to January 24, 2014.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for open-angle glaucoma, secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension were granted under the PACT Act.,Service connection was established for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Takhli Royal Thailand Air Force Base (RTAFB).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development related to toxic exposure and other medical issues. The specific nature of his disabilities, including their etiology, will be further evaluated.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for left eye glaucoma is granted, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of his TDIU claim due to the complexity and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left eye disability did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation from August 27, 2013 to March 12, 2020. However, the evidence is at least in approximate balance that his disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from March 13, 2020 to October [REDACTED], 2020.

Service connection for a headache disorder is denied.,Increased ratings for right and left trench foot disabilities from September 1, 2017 to December 8, 2022 are denied. Increased ratings for right and left trench foot disabilities from December 8, 2022 to the present are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper examination regarding open angle glaucoma and cataracts, which were diagnosed since July 2007. The Veteran's eye conditions need further evaluation by VA medical personnel.