Glaucoma Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and diminished color perception as secondary to diabetes. The effective date remains January 24, 1973, as there was no CUE in the RO decision assigning this date. The claim for an earlier effective date for hearing loss disability is denied due to lack of evidence of a prior informal claim within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vision loss, which is secondary to malaria or tuberculosis, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diabetes mellitus and bilateral eye disorders.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease (CAD).,Diabetic retinopathy is found to be related to diabetes mellitus.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma was first manifested during her active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral senile cataracts, open angle glaucoma, and mild dry eyes are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's eye disability and PTSD were denied service connection, while his IBS was granted without a percentage rating. The PTSD received a 30% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran's vision problems, including glaucoma suspect, pseudotumor cerebri, pseudopapilledema, and dry eye, are not related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an eye disorder due to radiation exposure, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) but denied them on their merits. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are considered, along with his in-service noise exposures and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 was denied because she is already employed in an occupation consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the reduction of his prostate cancer rating from 100% to 10% was proper, and service connection for glaucoma, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), bronchiectasis, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence associated with a service-connected disability or condition were not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected primary open angle glaucoma of both eyes is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and temporary total ratings were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder was dismissed due to lack of evidence, and the claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected left eye disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or separate disfigurement rating, and he is not entitled to SMC based on loss of use of vision.

The Board found that the Veteran's impaired vision other than glaucoma was not incurred or aggravated in service, but awarded service connection for his glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date of this award is set at January 12, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, status post right nephrectomy, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, gout, and glaucoma.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision problems (cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma), including as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

Service connection for left trigger finger and right trigger finger has been granted with effective dates of October 26, 2006 and August 6, 2007 respectively. Service connection for pes planus was reopened and granted with an effective date of October 26, 2006. Service connection for sleep apnea and left tibial tendon dysfunction has been granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.