Glaucoma decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including right eye retinal vein occlusion and open angle glaucoma with pseudophakia, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's entitlement to increased compensation for his eye disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation in excess of SMC(k) rate has also been denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, bilateral eye glaucoma, chronic headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as his appeal was not clear regarding which docket he preferred.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to a left eye disability, including glaucoma. The AOJ is instructed to obtain supplemental medical opinions addressing whether any current left eye disability, including glaucoma, is related to military service or to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's additional left eye disability is caused by VA treatment and whether it was reasonably foreseeable. The examiner must provide a clear opinion on these points.

The appeal for service connection for high cholesterol was dismissed, and the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, eye disorder (to include glaucoma), diabetes, hypertension, anemia, sinusitis, headache disorder, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, and left wrist disability were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and glaucoma, finding that he did not have current disabilities as defined by VA standards.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of headaches, diabetes and glaucoma due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and insomnia disorder, but denied higher ratings or service connection for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for left eye glaucoma with vision loss, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether it is etiologically related to exposure to toxic chemicals during active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for schizoaffective type/schizophrenia, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right eye glaucoma.

The Veteran's open-angle glaucoma requires continuous medication for treatment, and the current rating of 10 percent is considered appropriate based on this requirement.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied in an August 2021 rating decision. The Board found that legal entitlement to this benefit did not exist prior to February 11, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding VA's follow-up efforts with the Veteran following his diagnosis of glaucoma. The Veteran is currently in receipt of disability benefits from Social Security Administration (SSA) for bilateral vision impairment, and SSA records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic conjunctivitis with bilateral open angle glaucoma has resulted in a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate effective August 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities, including hearing loss, psychiatric conditions, sleep apnea, GERD, ulcers, prostate issues, hyperlipidemia, neck, back, ankle, elbow, eye glaucoma, foot, hip, shoulder, wrist, and knee disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Board has found multiple pre-decisional duty to assist errors and has remanded the claims for further development.

The claim for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension) is dismissed.,The claim for service connection for dissociative disorder (multiple personalities) (passive aggressive personality disorder) is dismissed.,The claim for service connection for glaucoma is denied.,The claim for service connection for cerebral infarction, claimed as stroke, is remanded.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for left eye glaucoma and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's glaucoma in his left eye is not considered to be caused by the VA treatment he received for a retinal detachment, and thus compensation under 38 USC §1151 is denied.