Glaucoma decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, and dementia due to potential TERA exposure. The rating for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence from the PACT Act, which requires a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability, including partial blindness due to projectile injury. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or exposure that could be linked to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent or higher for open angle glaucoma with localized visual field defect is being remanded due to the failure to obtain specific results from a private eye examination.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not higher than what is warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's open angle glaucoma from March 11, 2021, is rated at 50 percent. The Board found that a higher rating is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with mild diabetic retinopathy with macular edema of the bilateral eyes has been withdrawn. The Board also remanded the claims for nuclear cataracts and TDIU.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral open angle glaucoma is related to service, including his claim of tall grass exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disability other than photophobia, specifically whether it is due to an injury superimposed on his existing refractive error.

The Board remands the claim for an adequate medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's bilateral open angle glaucoma is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his right eye disability, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current glaucoma is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear notice and denial reasons. The Board finds the PCAFC decision did not clearly state which criteria were unmet, leading to a need for clarification.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for glaucoma due to a duty status verification error. The Veteran's glaucoma may be considered as incurred during service if his duty status was ACDUTRA on any of the dates mentioned in the treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral glaucoma and service connection for other conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate (MDD) and remanded the claims for homonymous hemianopsia with glaucoma suspect, bilateral eyes and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma, and headaches have been dismissed as moot.,An initial rating of 50 percent for the period prior to May 16, 2024, for headaches has been granted with a current effective date of May 16, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is granted. However, the claim for service connection for glaucoma (claimed as an eye disorder) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's eye disorder, including bilateral glaucoma and cataracts. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions and consider potential environmental exposures during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye glaucoma as aggravated by service, finding no competent evidence demonstrating that his glaucoma was aggravated during a period of active duty for training.