Glaucoma Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and the reduction of his diabetic retinopathy rating from 10% to noncompensable effective November 9, 2009 was proper. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as 10%, and his diabetic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction prior to January 28, 2015 is rated at 60%. His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are each rated at 10%. The Veteran's hypertension is not separately service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and glaucoma has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma, cataracts, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for service connection for glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current eye disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and the Veteran's claim of CUE in the denial of his claim for residuals of cold injuries of the feet. The effective date for service connection was not changed.

The Veteran's glaucoma was diagnosed within a year of service separation and is considered to have started during active duty, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any eye disorder, as there is no in-service diagnosis or injury related to current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues and the need for a Travel Board hearing. The specific conditions of prostate cancer, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and bilateral glaucoma are still under consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues except the claim of PTSD with depression, which was resolved in his favor. The remaining claims are dismissed as they no longer have jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate with the claims file additional VA treatment records, Christian Hospital treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records. The claims will be returned for preparation of an addendum medical opinion regarding compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma first manifested during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and has persisted since, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma and bilateral detached retinas are secondary to his service-connected sickle cell retinopathy. The chalazion of the left eye is not considered secondary to sickle cell retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected glaucoma.

The Veteran's blindness in the left eye was caused by his pre-existing glaucoma, which was aggravated by a July 2001 VA cataract surgery. The Board finds that compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is warranted due to the aggravation of his preexisting condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his bilateral open-angle glaucoma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right ankle disability, shrapnel injury of the left leg, and bilateral glaucoma have been denied. The Board finds that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's vision problems and glaucoma were not caused by VA medical care in February 2008, as his condition had already deteriorated prior to this visit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, and eye disability (including glaucoma) have been denied as there is no evidence of their onset or etiology in service. The Board finds that the lack of post-service evidence showing symptoms until nearly three decades after discharge from service tends to show these conditions did not have their onset in service or for years thereafter.