Glaucoma Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, pigmentary glaucoma, hypertension, and myopia with exotropia due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service. The veteran's combined non-service-connected disability rating was found to be 80%.

The Board found that the veteran's loss of vision was due to natural progression of macular degeneration and chronic open-angle glaucoma, not caused by VA medical treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and emphysema. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for glaucoma.

The Board dismissed the veteran's motions alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in various decisions regarding earlier effective dates for compensation and increased ratings.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to November 14, 2003 and in excess of 20 percent since November 14, 2003 for glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including glaucoma, arthritis of the left shoulder, hypertension, asthma, and lipomas of the thighs, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The appeal is granted.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service eye injury or event related to the current diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed eye disorder and impotence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and granted service connection for hypertension. The claims for chest pain disability, back disability, glaucoma, and rheumatoid arthritis are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right eye glaucoma and cataracts are not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that aortic stenosis and glaucoma are caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or any other service-connected disability. Therefore, both claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 30, 2002 for the assignment of a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected traumatic cataract and absolute glaucoma in both eyes, along with special monthly compensation on account of blindness without light perception.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and compliance with VCAA requirements. The claim for special monthly compensation is also being remanded.

The veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, including as a result of mustard gas exposure during service, is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye glaucoma and decreased vision were not caused by VA treatment, thus denying his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's hyperpigmentation of the left forearm with associated pruritus is related to service exposure to mustard gas, and granted service connection for this condition. The eye disorder claim was denied as there was no evidence linking it to mustard gas exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis and glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing technology malfunction, and the veteran is scheduled for either an in-person or videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.