Glaucoma Board decisions

The Veteran's calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis of the left foot, lumbar spine disorder, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the right eye (radiculopathy), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the left eye (radiculopathy), decreased bone density, to include osteoporosis and osteopenia, acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma of the left eye, and glaucoma of the right eye are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis of the left foot, lumbar spine disorder, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the right eye (radiculopathy), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the left eye (radiculopathy), decreased bone density, to include osteoporosis and osteopenia, acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma of the left eye, and glaucoma of the right eye are all granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn, and the appeal is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his heart conditions, which led to his death. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and provide a medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's primary open angle glaucoma and left chest lipoma are now granted as service-connected.,Entitlement to a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering a medical opinion from Dr. M. F., who opined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye condition, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his current glaucoma and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 18, 2022.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, lung disorder (claimed as COPD), tinnitus, and glaucoma. The Veteran must now request an SOC before these issues can be appealed further.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of a private medical opinion and the Glaucoma Research Foundation article in determining the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral open angle glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate and ordered a remand to obtain new, adequate opinions regarding the Veteran's eye disability. The issue is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral eye disability, headaches, psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, low back disability, knee and hip disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current eye disability is more likely due to aging and other risk factors.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, heart disease, cataracts secondary to diabetes, glaucoma secondary to diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as not related to service or due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted increased ratings, while erectile dysfunction and hypertension remain denied.,A separate initial disability rating of 10 percent has been granted for right ankle instability.

The appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for chronic open angle glaucoma and nuclear sclerotic cataracts is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral wrist disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a spine disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for RBD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, kidney disease, and a bilateral eye disability due to inadequate VA opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral hip disability and cervical spine disability have been granted in an August 2020 rating decision. These issues are therefore dismissed as moot.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral glaucoma, but the claim remains pending due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety with depression has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral leg orthopedic disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of the shoulders, arthritis of the neck, sinus disorder, right eye disorder (glaucoma and cataract), erectile dysfunction, and heart disorder have been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and benefits have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for vision problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and refractive error of the eyes. The case is being returned to VA for further development.