Glaucoma decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral glaucoma is found to be proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran did not have any benefits due and unpaid at the time of his death, as no claims were pending. Therefore, accrued benefits are denied.

The Veteran's child, D.V., is recognized as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18, primarily based on his visual impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is claimed to have caused or aggravated his diagnosed bilateral eye conditions, including glaucoma, posterior chamber intraocular lenses, and dry eyes. The Board has determined that the current evidence does not address whether these conditions were aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has found the VA examinations to be inadequate and remanded for further development, including another examination to determine the current nature and severity of service-connected eye disabilities and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed glaucoma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disorder is being remanded due to the need for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma as new and relevant evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that no earlier effective dates could be granted due to continuous pursuit of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension effective from August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act. The other issues are remanded due to new evidence and potential TERA exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and an issue regarding pre-existing gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and right elbow disabilities are being examined, as is his bilateral glaucoma.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for glaucoma and headaches have been dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye disability, including cataracts and glaucoma, is not related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, anosmia, bilateral optic neuropathy and glaucoma, and vertigo. The claims were previously denied in a May 2019 rating decision but readjudicated due to new evidence received after January 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma, vitreous floaters, and papilledema. The Veteran asserts that these conditions are related to her service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral acute closed angle glaucoma is related to his service, including possible mold exposure during service in 2008 and 2009. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied service connection for enlarged prostate, chronic angle closure glaucoma, and sleep apnea as not related to service or toxic exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with sleep disorder, bilateral glaucoma, tinnitus, and foot disability, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has received a withdrawal request from the Veteran, and thus the appeal is dismissed for these four conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral end stage pigmentary glaucoma, finding that it first manifested in service and is not a congenital condition.