Glaucoma Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. The VA does not find that his service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches and stroke secondary to migraine headaches, contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, including congenital right and left eye conditions, were denied service connection as they are considered congenital defects not subject to superimposed disease or injury. The non-congenital right eye disability (exophthalmos) and the non-congenital left eye disability (nuclear sclerotic cataract with reduced visual acuity/blurred vision) were also denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's terminal lung cancer and other service-connected conditions are granted, with a total disability rating for lung cancer. Service connection is granted for thyroidectomy scar, hypertension, and right lung transplant with scar. However, service connection is denied for balance issues, left eyelid cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, glaucoma, and bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,Separate ratings are sought for urinary and eye disabilities secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. These issues require additional development including obtaining medical records and clarifying current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA medical opinion and for additional development of the claim, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a board-certified ophthalmologist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an eye disability, finding that his glaucoma was not incurred or caused by active service.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the February 2022 remand requests and thus, the case is being returned to obtain Goldmann visual field charts from various dates. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts is now pending.

The Board has decided that service connection is denied for gingivitis and remanded for further action regarding glaucoma.

The Board has denied service connection for glaucoma of the right eye and left eye, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure. Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer.,Service connection remains pending for sleep disturbance (including sleep apnea) and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a 70% disability rating effective July 15, 2011. Service connection for glaucoma of the right eye and onychomycosis are also granted. The skin rash of the back is denied.

The Veteran's left eye glaucoma is related to his active duty service and granted. The right eye glaucoma case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for recurrent acute bronchitis is granted. The claims for bilateral eye disability (glaucoma), OSA, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy have been granted. Service connection for glaucoma has been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for deciding the claims. The Veteran's eye condition, bilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, and hepatitis are all related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left eye disability, including his glaucoma, is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts and glaucoma, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The reasons are that the VA medical opinion provided in January 2022 is inadequate and an updated opinion is needed.

The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on blindness or need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between diabetes and blindness.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral primary open angle glaucoma with cataracts results in permanent impairment of vision, meeting the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, eye disabilities, and PTSD due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.